Florida Departments of Juvenile Justice, Education, Children & Families Submit 2010-2011 Legislative Budget Requests click here to read the full article

PACE Center for Girls Legislative Agenda 2010-2011

FLORIDA'S DECLINING REVENUES

For the 4^th consecutive year, Florida has experienced consistently declining revenue, and as a result, during the 2009-2010 Legislative Session, the Department of Juvenile Justice experienced severe reductions in funding for programs that serve children across the continuum.  Prevention programs and programs that keep young people out of the juvenile justice system have demonstrated significant successes; however these successes cannot be sustained with further budget reductions.  We implore our legislators to establish other means to balance the budget and ensure juvenile justice is a priority by maintaining funding.

PACE supports:

• Developing policies that generate new and additional revenues and maximize existing revenues.
• Maximizing government efficiencies and streamlining government functions that have potential cost savings.
• Fully funding the need in critical areas of juvenile justice such as prevention and gender-responsive services for girls.

MAINTAIN FUNDING TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. 

PACE supports no further reductions to the Department of Juvenile Justice for direct services required to meet the substantial needs of girls in, or at risk of entering, the juvenile justice system. 

 Almost 30% of the juveniles referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice are girls, yet less than 5% of the budget is dedicated to gender responsive programs and practices.  OPPAGA reports that gender-specific services vary across the DJJ continuum, but when utilized are effective in reducing recidivism and preventing girls from entering the criminal justice system.

LEGISLATION REDUCING THE NUMBER OF GIRLS ENTERING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

PACE supports legislation to reduce the number of girls entering the juvenile justice system for violations of probation and misdemeanor offenses.

More girls than boys enter the juvenile justice system for misdemeanor offenses and non-law violations of probation.  In 2008-2009, 76% of girls were committed to the juvenile justice system as a result of a misdemeanor or non-law violation of probation as opposed to 56% of boys.  Additionally, 45% of girls were referred to DJJ for a misdemeanor as opposed to 24% of boys.   Research on girls indicates that most can best be served through treatment provided in the community.  PACE supports a prevention focus, graduated sanctions and an emphasis on keeping girls out of the juvenile justice system. 

LEGISLATION IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EDUCATION SERVICES

 PACE supports legislation that improves education services to youth served by the juvenile justice system by providing flexibility in the delivery of services.

 Having been suspended, expelled or held back in middle school is the single largest predictor of subsequent arrest among adolescent girls.  Research indicates that effective school-based interventions for girls must focus on helping girls feel safe by connecting them with caring adults within the school setting and by promoting academic self-efficacy.  Effective programs for girls should emphasize the importance of building positive connections in the domains of family, peers, school, and community so as to surround a girl with social support that insulates her from adverse circumstances that may lead to risky or antisocial behavior.

REFORM OF FLORIDA'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

PACE joins the Florida Juvenile Justice Association (FJJA), the Children's Campaign's Justice For Girls Initiative and the Department of Juvenile Justice in supporting legislation that reflects recommendations for systemic reform of the juvenile justice system.

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