MDEAT Youth Services

Youth facing a misdemeanor charge or minor offense are typically referred to Teen Court by a referring agency such as the Juvenile Services Department. The hope is that instead of getting a blemish on their record, Teen Court would instead give the teen a second chance by allowing them to be tried in a court of their peers - other youth who also act as jurors and attorneys under the guidance of professional judges and attorneys. The outcome is usually an alternate sanction, such as a letter of apology, counseling sessions, or community service hours, among other possible sanctions.

Life Skills Workshops

Core Life Skills Workshops are required for all youth referred to Teen Court. These workshops include: 

• Anti-Theft
• Conflict Resolution
• Ethics
• Victims Awareness
• Sustance Abuse

Teen Court Locations:

• Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m.
  South Dade Government Center
  10710 SW 211th Street, Court Room 2-2
  Cutler Bay, FL 33186
• 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m.
  Miami Gardens City Hall
  18605 NW 27th Avenue, Commission Chamber
  Miami Gardens, FL 33056
• 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m.
  North Dade Justic Center
  15555 Biscyane Boulevard, Court Room 207
  Miami, FL 33160
• Thursdays at 5:15 p.m.
  Richard Gerstein Justice Building
  1351 NW 12th Street, Court Room 1-3
  Miami, FL 33125
  
  

The Youth Services Division exposes youth participants to high-paying and emerging industries through workshops, conferences, and professional opportunities. 

Youth Services cultivates an enriching experience that includes:

• Engagements with experts from targeted industries
• Field trips to employers in emerging vocations
• Job shadowing opportunities
• Professional development curated in partnership with trade associations and professional organizations
• Community service and experiential opportunities in relevant industries and occupations
• Mock interviews, resume writing workshops and internships

The Division recently partnered with Mayor Levine Cava's Fit2Lead program to connect program participants with local enterprises to facilitate meaningful professional experiences. Students acquire first-hand professional experience, inspiration to complete their studies, and transition to the next phase of their lives.

Employer engagement takes place in the following ways:

• Assist in the training of students through internships, mentoring and career awareness activities
• Provide input and feedback regarding curriculum and instruction to help students develop the skill sets 
  necessary for participants to achieve competency in various career areas
• Provide dedicated employees to meet with students to discuss career opportunities, demonstrate work processes and share experiences using relevant technology and applying work-related techniques.
• Invite leading employees to give testimonials regarding their experiences to motivate students to pursue various career pathways

Youth Services incorporates Teen Success Coaching throughout its programming. Young people can take advantage of vocational and mental health support from dedicated staffers. Success Coaching also includes a curriculum targeting job readiness and connectivity.

Success Coaching programming includes the following training workshops:

• Employability skills
• Interviewing Skills
• Soft Skills
• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Resume Preparation Skills

MDEAT’s Youth Development Division provides curricula, character development, psychoeducation and related services that support the program goals and lead to improved performance in self-efficacy, academic achievement, career readiness, pro-social behaviors and decision-making.

Mental Health Services
Teen Court offers mental health services that promote physical and emotional development among youth. These resources allow young people to:

• Learn more about themselves
• Receive evidence-based assessment and treatment to equip them with necessary life skills
• Share experiences with others in a group and individual setting
• Connect with subject matter experts
• Address negative thoughts and emotions in an accepting environment
• Gain knowledge that will prove invaluable in the future

Read the 7 Signs You May Need Teen Court Mental Health

Volunteers engaged in the Youth Development Division make a significant impact in the lives of youth residing in Miami-Dade County. Through its service programs of Teen Court, Career Pathways and Mental Health, volunteerism in the division creates great opportunity for middle and high school students and adults to engage in programming areas of interest that will allow them to earn community service and explore career fields that are not ordinarily accessed.

Volunteering is a fulfilling experience as an advocate for your own community and allows for possibility to become a mentor and create legacy. Adult volunteers assist with the training and mentorship of youth engaged with the division. The Youth Development Division would not be successful without the volunteers – both adults and youth.

The following requirements are needed to be eligible to be a volunteer.

Youth volunteers:

• Must be in middle or high school
• Ability to engage in positive peer pressure interaction
• Volunteer for a minimum of four months

Adult volunteers:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Ability to positively impact young people
• Available to volunteer at least four times per year

Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) partnered with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) to offer Student Court. This collaborative initiative is a student-powered, peer-sanctioning process that provides an alternative to indoor and outdoor suspension. Student Court helps schools develop a culture of positive behavior and respect for the established School Rules.

In articulating a vision for school discipline, MDEAT offers suggestions and findings that support restoration of healthy interactions; helping participants learn from their mistakes; development of new opportunities for adults working with students to listen to students’ sides of the story; and implementing effective responses to reduce misbehavior.

Student Court provides:

• Curricula
• Character Development
• Law Education and 
• Related services that support improved performance in the areas of academic achievement, attendance and discpline

The Student Court program is designed to

• Help empower youth
• Provide an avenue to reduce time spent out of school due to low-level infractions
• Address safety issues
• Create a positive learning environment
• Help students become well-educated, civically-engaged citizens
• Promote positive peer pressure
• Foster character building
• Encourage critical thinking, problem solving-decision making and other positive leadership skills among students

Other benefits include

• Improved school safety
• Discipline options for administration
• Reduces student continuous involvement in school-rule violations