Program helps transition justice-involved students to school life

MILTON — During the 2017-2018 school year, 43 youth in Santa Rosa County have transitioned from a Department of Juvenile Justice facility back into our school district. Additionally, as of May 2018, there are 143 youth who have been justice-involved currently attending a school in the Santa Rosa County School District. There are 55 youth who are currently committed in a DJJ facility serving time who will be released at some point during the 2018-19 school year.

The National Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Neglected and Delinquent Children and Youth (2016) identified practices that lead to successful transition from facility to community for justice-involved youth. These practices include: inter-collaboration of agencies at transition team meetings, efficient records transfer, transition plan, research-based programming, regular monitoring and tracking, and adequate funding.

Dr. Karen Barber, Director of Federal Programs, secured a Title IV federal grant for school enrichment to target this population of students attending schools within the Santa Rosa County School District. The program is called SOS, Supporting Our Students.

“Our goal is to keep students in schools to graduate and eventually move on to a career or post-secondary education program,” Barber said.

Spearheading much of the work with these students is Student Intervention Specialist, Cindy Peaden. Peaden, who was previously a classroom teacher, and most recently a high school counselor in Santa Rosa County, said when she read the job description, it had her name on it.

“I have a heart for students who need a little extra encouragement and attention.” Peaden said.

SOS has a personal, one-on-one component, including mentoring, school visits to meet with the students, additional help and support through after-school tutoring, counseling services, assistance with difficult tasks such as filling out FAFSA forms and college applications to attempting to meet basic needs as they arise throughout the school year.

“It’s a village approach to providing resources and services to assist these students. We would love to have individuals and organizations within our community partner with us to help this population of students in need.” Peaden said. “This can be done in a variety of ways such as mentors, opportunities for part-time jobs, internships, opportunities to complete community service hours, donations to meet needs not covered under the grant.”

To get involved or to learn more about SOS contact Barber at barberk@santarosa.k12.fl.us or 983-5001 or Cindy Peaden at peadenc@santarosa.k12.fl.us or 981-7860 extension 106.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Program helps transition justice-involved students to school life