The Miami-Dade County Prevention Initiative is designed for any youth 17 years of age and under who may be experiencing behavior and family difficulties, as well as those at risk of being arrested.

Utilizing proven and successful juvenile justice tools and interventions, psychosocial issues of youth at-risk are identified so that suitable treatment plans and referrals to appropriate services can be developed, with the goal of preventing juvenile arrests.
The Prevention Initiative will receive referrals through community outreach, schools, other JSD diversion programs, parents, and other concerned adults.

Upon completion of the 90 day program, each participant will write a brief essay about their experience and may be recruited to serve as program speakers, mentors, and or role models for future programs such as the Violence Intervention Project.

The program includes referrals to a formal network of private and public community based organizations that will address issues such as:

• Anger Management
• Disruptive Behavior
• Family Issues
• Drug Experimentation
• Negative Peer Association

Eligibility

• 17 years of age and under
• Youth that are experiencing behavioral and family difficulties

Areas addressed

• Substance Abuse
• Poor Academic Performance
• School Attendance/Truancy
• Disciplinary Problems
• Runaway
• Mental Health Issues

Objectives

• Identify risk level and psychosocial needs of all clients served
• Provide research based assessments that allow the application of appropriate, targeted interventions to address the youth's service needs
• Strive to keep clients from delinquency behavior

Monetary savings to the community will prove substantial, but pale in comparison with the positive impact that identifying needs and providing appropriate interventions will have on at-risk children and their families.

For more information, contact Tahra Sealy at 305-755-6286.

View the Prevention Brochure