Lake County Strategic Plan
Document Sample
Lake County Juvenile Justice Council
Three-Year Comprehensive Plan
2008-2011
Memorandum of Acknowledgement
Acceptance of Plan
We, Debi MacIntryre and Carl Ross, Lake County Juvenile Justice Council Co-Chairmen, have
reviewed the attached Lake County Three-Year Comprehensive Plan 2008-2011. We affirm that it
reflects the findings and determinations of the Lake County Council.
Lake County Juvenile Justice Council Chair Date
Lake County Juvenile Justice Council Co-Chair Date
Introduction
The Florida Legislature authorized juvenile justice councils at the county level and established
circuit juvenile justice boards (Chapter 985.4135).
County juvenile justice councils are charged with:
1. Developing comprehensive county juvenile justice prevention and early intervention plans;
2. Collaborating with the circuit board to develop comprehensive circuit plans;
3. Facilitating interagency cooperation and information sharing;
4. Advising and assisting the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice with the evaluation and
awarding of delinquency prevention grants; and
5. Participating in local initiatives to further the goals of the county juvenile justice plan and
the department.
The juvenile justice boards and councils provide a valuable volunteer resource in Florida’s fight
against juvenile crime.
A. Vision/Mission Statement
Lake County Juvenile Justice Council will develop a plan that will encourage the coordination of
delinquency prevention, programming, planning and implementation.
We will cooperate, coordinate and collaborate with public agencies, juvenile justice providers,
families, schools, faith–based institutions and grassroots organizations to reduce juvenile
delinquency in Lake County by directing resources toward quality prevention and
sanction/diversion programs that effectively minimize risk factors, maximize protective factors and
promote public safety through the implementation of the Lake County Juvenile Justice Plan.
This plan is the Board’s attempt to assess the juvenile risk factors and protective factors of youth in
Lake County and to make recommendations for future services to reduce juvenile delinquency.
B. Purpose/Structure
The Lake Juvenile Justice Council will review applicants for the Department of Juvenile Justice’s
Delinquency Prevention Grant and recommend the most appropriate application according to the
scoring instrument. The council will then request quarterly presentations covering the grant
recipient’s progress towards stated goals and outcome measures. Additionally, the council will
serve as a networking medium between the local agencies dealing with the youthful population to
enhance the overall approach.
C. Timeline
The Lake Juvenile Justice Council meets bi-monthly on the third Tuesday of the month at 3:00 pm.
Comprehensive Community Profile
A. Geographic
Lake County is located in northwest central Florida. The county is named for its 1,400 plus lakes. It
was formed from a portion of Orange County and Sumter County in 1887. Lake County is
approximately 1200 square miles and is known for its diverse landscape and terrain ranging from 0
to 315 feet above sea level. It is a part of the 5th Judicial Circuit.
B. Demographic
This once rural county ranked 19th in the top 100 fastest growing counties of the 3000 counties in
the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001) and the third fastest growing county in Florida
(Orlando Sentinel, May 2002). Currently, Lake County struggles to recover from the devastation
caused by the tornados in February 2007 that took the lives of 21 children and adults and used $4.2
million in county resources. Lake County is a densely populated suburban, economically
disadvantaged area with a population of 273,277 which is 8.3% African American and 9.1 %
Hispanic/Latino.
The primary sources of employment in Lake County are trades, service industries, and government
sectors. The principal employers include Lake County School District, Lake County government,
Leesburg Regional Medical Center, Florida Hospital/Waterman, Inc., Village of Lake-Sumter, Inc.,
and Publix and Winn Dixie Supermarkets.
Much of Lake County’s population remains uneducated and poor, while also challenged by a
growing bilingual population. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that
24% of the residents of Lake County are functionally illiterate. According to the Bureau of
Economic and Business Research, the 2004 personal income per capita in Lake County was only
82% of the corresponding U.S. amount. Compared to the state average, a county resident’s income
was $4,347 less in 2004. In 2002, the Department of Children and Families provided 14% of
county residents with food stamps and public assistance. The 2005 American Community Survey
reports the poverty level for children under the age of 18 is 20.2%, increasing to 30.1% for related
children under the age of 5 years.
Lake County’s growth has plagued the school system with high mobility and frequent absences. It
has also brought an exceptional increase in expulsions related to disenfranchisement and non-
compliance incidents. Even the high school drop out rate is higher than the state’s average. The
cohort dropout rate, which follows a group of freshmen for four years, was an alarming 31% for the
county in 2005. Thirty four percent of Lake County residents lack high school diplomas compared
to 26% in Florida and 25% in the nation (2000 U.S. Census Date).
Youth Population
(Source: Florida’s Children At A Glance, 2006)
County Ages 10-14 Ages 15-17
Citrus 6,618 4,449
Hernando 8,391 5,154
Lake 14,838 8,670
Marion 17,843 11,533
Sumter 3,015 2,075
County estimates for People of All Ages in Poverty
Citrus: 13.6 %
Hernando: 12.6 %
Lake: 11.8 %
Marion: 15.2 %
Sumter: 19.2%
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000)
Principles Guiding this Strategic Plan
1. To promote interagency cooperation and collaboration in addressing juvenile crime in Lake
County.
2. To encourage the development of fair and effective juvenile justice services.
3. To promote resources for prevention and diversion services in Lake County.
4. To provide a forum for partnerships between DJJ and Stakeholders.
5. To encourage community involvement and participation in meeting the needs of our youth
in Lake County through established organizations.
Current Trends in Delinquency
Crime is also an issue. Lake County youth continue to be surrounded by high rates of at-risk
behavior. In 1999, Lake County was deemed- per capita- the most violent Florida school district.
The juvenile arrest rate in Lake County is among the highest in the state and consistently the highest
in the Fifth Judicial District. The DJJ’s Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) data from July
2007 provides assessment data on the 3,086 juveniles who have been assessed in Lake County since
?????? July 2006: 27% report use of alcohol; 41% report use of drugs; and 29% report use of
marijuana. The amount of crime and gang-related incidents in Lake County indicates how serious
the needs for children being raised in this environment and the challenges this presents in the school
environment and for the community.
According to the Lake County School Board, arrests during the 2006-2007 school year were 75
(felony) and 656 (misdemeanor) for the district’s middle and high schools.
Data from the 2005-06 DJJ Delinquency Profile
COMMITMENTS BY LEVEL LAKE
COUNTY
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
LEVEL 4 86 91 77 34 37 22 22 23
LEVEL 6 110 125 131 209 170 168 170 145
LEVEL 8 22 48 44 51 41 45 33 47
LEVEL 10 0 1 3 2 8 3 7 3
Grand Total 218 265 255 296 256 238 232 218
REFERRALS LAKE COUNTY
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
FELONIES 793 735 715 653 682 628 654 785
MISDEMEANORS 1,106 1,110 1,190 1,129 1003 1,122 1,124 971
OTHER OFFENSES 192 379 533 569 480 433 440 445
TOTAL 2,091 2,224 2,438 2,351 2,165 2,183 2,318 2,201
YOUTHS REFERRED LAKE COUNTY
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
FELONIES 624 595 587 552 565 537 537 667
MISDEMEANORS 736 764 827 827 727 823 851 722
OTHER OFFENSES 49 85 93 123 116 107 991 105
TOTAL 1,409 1,444 1,507 1,502 1,408 1,467 1,487 1,494
Risk Factors
A. Process for selecting risk factors
In selecting the risk factors for Lake County, the council used data accumulated in the Florida
Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) from 2006. In addition, Lake County took into
consideration the five factors identified by the Department of Juvenile Justice as issues in the Fifth
Circuit: antisocial attitudes; antisocial peers; substance abuse; dysfunctional families; and lack of
empathy.
The FYSAS is based on the Communities That Care Youth Survey, developed from the nationally
recognized work of Dr. J. David Hawkins and Dr. Richard F. Catalano. It not only measures the
prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and delinquent behavior, but also measures the
risk and protective factors related to these behaviors.
The 2006 FYSAS was administered to 1,243 Lake County students in grades 6 through 12 in the
spring of 2006. The findings illustrate the complexity of drug use and antisocial behavior among
Lake County’s youth and the possible factors that may contribute to these activities. While some of
the findings compare favorably to the national findings, Lake County youth are still reporting drug
use and delinquent behavior that will negatively affect their lives and our society. The four priority
risk factors were identified. Risk factors are characteristics in the community, family, school and
individual’s environments that are known to increase the likelihood of a young person becoming
involved in a problem behavior - drug use, delinquency, school dropout and/or violence. Our
efforts, as guided by the Plan, will focus on addressing the following risk factors in a proactive
fashion.
B. Priority Risk Factors
Community Domain
Risk Factor: Transitions and Mobility
Even normal school transitions are associated with an increase in problem behaviors. When children
move from elementary school to middle school or from middle school to high school, significant
increases in the rates of drug use, school dropout and antisocial behavior may occur. This is
thought to occur because by making the transition to a new environment, students no longer have
the bonds they had in their old environment. Consequently they are less likely to develop the bonds
that protect them from involvement in problem behaviors. Communities with high rates of mobility
appear to have increased drug and crime problems. The more frequently people in a community
move, the greater the risk of criminal behavior.
The Transitions and Mobility scale on the FYSAS survey measures how often the student has
changed home or schools in the past year and since kindergarten. Lake County students report a
score of 67 for Middle School and 68 for High School on this scale, higher than the statewide
averages of 64 and 65.
Promising Approaches:
Adolescent Transitions Program (Dishion et al)
Communities That Care (Hawkins and Catalano Community Mobilization)
DARE to Be You (CSAP demonstration grant # 1397)
Families and Schools Together (FAST)
Parenting (Adolescents) Wisely by Gordon
Parenting Skills Program by Guerney
Project PATHE (Organizational Change in School by Gottfredson)
(Source: U.S. Department of Justice-Office of Justice programs-Title V Training & Technical
Assistance Programs for State and Local Governments “The Promising and Effective Programs
Guide”; January 2002. Development Services Group, Inc.)
School Domain
Risk Factor: Lack of Commitment to School
Children who are not committed to school have ceased to see the role of student as a viable part of
their lives and are at higher risk for problem behaviors. Nine items on the survey assess Low School
Commitment – a student’s general feelings about his or her schooling. Elevated findings for this risk
factor scale suggest that students feel less attached to or connected with, their classes and school
environments. Lack of commitment to school means the child has ceased to see the role of student
as a positive one. Young people who have lost this commitment to school are at higher risk for a
variety of behavior problems.
Lake County Middle School students reported a score of 62, five points higher than the statewide
average of 57. High School students equaled the statewide average of 52.
Promising Approaches:
Educational alternative programs for at-risk students either within traditional school setting or
at an alternate facility.
Behavior monitoring and reinforcement of attendance and academic progress
One-on-One mentoring with behavior management emphasis
Multi-systemic services for at-risk students and families
Before and after school programs
Youth vocational training programs
School accountability courts-in lieu of suspension
Charter school programs to cater to specialize at-risk students
Families and Schools Together (FAST) Program
Project PATHE (Organizational Change in School by Gottfredson)
(Source: U.S. Department of Justice-Office of Justice programs-Title V Training & Technical
Assistance Programs for State and Local Governments “The Promising and Effective Programs
Guide”; January 2002. Development Services Group, Inc.)
Center for the Study of Children’s Futures
Florida’s Children at a Glance, 2006
Indicator State Marion Citrus Hernando Sumter Lake
Teen Violent 5.1 5.5 1.5 7.6 3.0 9.5
Death Rate-
Ages 15-19
(per 10,000)
In-School 274,789 4,951 2,269 3,240 1,393 2,356
Suspensions
Out-of-School 250,464 6,347 1,682 2,145 840 3,572
Suspensions
Drop-Outs 49,016 766 299 269 91 826
Graduation 71.9% 72.3% 73.3% 74.5% 75.7% 72.2%
Rate
Students 46 % 54% 44% 45% 55% 41%
Eligible for
Free/Reduced
Lunch
Abuse Cases 32,081 1,057 454 643 215 699
(Verified )
Individual/Peer Domain
Risk factor: Favorable Attitudes Toward the Problem (Antisocial) Behavior
During the elementary school years, children usually express anticrime and prosocial attitudes and
have difficulty imaging why people commit crimes or drop out of school. However in middle
school, as others they know participate in such activities, their attitudes often shift toward greater
acceptance of these behaviors. This acceptance places them at higher risk for these antisocial
behaviors. In 2006, Lake County middle school students reported a score of 63, two points higher
than the statewide average of 61.
Risk factor: Rebelliousness
Students with high scores on this scale are more likely to reject basic social rules that prohibit
antisocial behavior. This alienation from dominant social values increases the chance that they will
become involved with drug use and other forms of delinquent behavior. In 2006, Lake County high
school students reported a score of 56, four points higher than the statewide average of 52. Middle
school students reported a score of 61.
Promising Approaches:
Multisystemic Therapy
Adolescent Transitions Program (Dishion et al)
All Stars by Hansen
DARE to Be You (CSAP demonstration grant # 1397)
Families and Schools Together (FAST) Program
Parenting (Adolescents) Wisely by Gordon
Parenting Skills Program by Guerney
Project PATHE (Organizational Change in School by Gottfredson)
(Source: U.S. Department of Justice-Office of Justice programs-Title V Training & Technical
Assistance Programs for State and Local Governments “The Promising and Effective Programs
Guide”; January 2002. Development Services Group, Inc.)
Protective Factors
Protective factors reduce the probability that young people facing a risk factor or factors will
become involved in violence. They represent strengths that Lake County may build on.
Protective Factor: Religiosity
The most elevated protective factor for middle school students is Religiosity. Religious institutions
can help students develop firm prosocial beliefs. Students who have preconceived ideas about
certain activities are less vulnerable to becoming involved with antisocial behaviors because they
have already adopted a social norm against those activities. Middle School students are more likely
to benefit from relationships with prosoical adults and peers, opportunities for prosocial activities,
and the teaching of prosocial values that are often part of religious involvement. Lake County
students reported a score of 48 on the Religiosity scale, two points higher than the statewide average
of 47.
Protective Factor: Social Skills
Students with high levels of social skills are better able to resolve conflicts in a productive manner
and avoid risky behaviors in favor of a more positive, prosocial choice. High school students
reported the highest level of protection for Social Skills with a score of 51, one point lower than the
statewide average of 52.
Status of Continuum of Services
Existing Resources
The Lake County School District has a widespread array of programs addressing risk factors in the
school domain and problem behaviors of substance abuse, delinquency, school drop out and
violence. Examples include:
Second Step Anti-Violence program (curriculum) for elementary & middle schools
Too Good for Drugs Education Program (Mendez)
Too Good for Violence (Mendez)
Service Learning
Parent Program for Teen Mothers
School Resource Officers in all middle and high schools
School Resource Officers teaching D.A.R.E. in elementary schools and G.R.E.A.T. in middle
schools
Alternative school programs are provided by Alee Academy and LifeStream.
Safe School Ambassadors in middle and high schools
ACER Academy
Peer Mediation Programs
Bullying Program
Tobacco Program (Tobacco Intervention Teacher Training Project)
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
Newspaper in Action
Positive Poster Campaign at prom time
Crisis Management and Crisis Intervention
Student Code of Conduct/ discipline
Other community resources address risk factors as well. These include:
Lake and Sumter Counties Boys & Girls Clubs
Children Services Council
Children’s Home Society of Florida and Fatherhood Program
Teen Court
DJJ’s Voluntary Intervention Program (diversion)
Lake County Shared Services Network
Safe Climate Coalition of Lake County, Inc.
ACER Program
NABs in Clermont and Leesburg
SAFE Program (Church without Walls)
Arnette House
YMCA
Eckerd Aftercare Program
ITM Sex Offender Program
Lake Sumter Child Advocacy Center
The Haven
Job Corp
Department of Children and Families
Therapeutic and counseling services for youth are offered by LifeStream and Arnette House.
Identifiable Gaps in Community Services
Recreation/youth activities
Diversion Programs
Communication between DCF, DJJ and Kids Central to provide continuity in shared cases
State’s Employment Office to provide opportunities for training and assistance in job
placement
Funding
Drug/alcohol services
Residential treatment
Faith based programs targeting youth
Businesses to mentor youth and provide opportunities
Senior Citizen stakeholders
Goals
1. Development of local resources, accessible and adequately staffed and funded. Strategies
include: encouraging local after school, weekend and summer activities for youth;
advocating increased placement of school and community based services in partnership with
the Department of Juvenile Justice, the school system, county and city government, and
other relevant agencies and associations; and promoting more active community
involvement in reducing and preventing juvenile delinquency.
2. Seeking additional funding through grants. An objective is to support efforts by local
agencies to apply for grants from state and national sources to fund adolescent drug
education/ prevention and delinquency prevention programs for youth at risk.
Priority Issues for FY 2004-2007
1. Expansion of Circuit programs that reduce delinquency and target youth most at-risk of
offending, as well as divert these youth away from commitment placement. To this end,
the Board takes a position that a balanced approach must be maintained that provides
funding across the continuum of services. To this end, it supports evidence-based
treatments and programs as follows:
Social learning models (Skills development and modeling of anti-criminal behavior)
Family-based therapies (Multi-systemic therapy & functional Family Therapy
models)
Cognitive-Behavioral Models
Restorative Justice models/Neighborhood Accountability boards
(Source: What Works: A Vision for Florida’s Juvenile Justice System, Bureau of Data &
Research; Steven F. Chapman, Ph.D.)
2. Advocate for the development of additional youth diversion, intervention and aftercare
services for youth.
3. Support key Department Initiatives, including:
Faith Initiative - build on existing partnerships and develop additional partnerships to
that emphasize Circuit protective factor.
Priority Issues for FY 2008-2011
1. Raise awareness of underage drinking and effects at the local level: engaging
individuals, families and community leaders by participating in community events to
include county and circuit board meetings; utilizing PACT data to educate youth,
parents and the community on the dangers of underage drinking; encouraging the
discussion of meaningful ways to help prevent underage drinking through engaging
local community leaders; and providing alcohol-focused educational materials at
probation offices, detention centers and residential centers for public accessibility.
2. Increase opportunities for mentoring for at-risk and delinquent youth through
advancement of awareness for public and government employees as mentors. Partner
with area agencies such as Take Stock in Children, Guardian Ad Litem, as well as
the business community- area Chambers.
3. Identify ways to increase opportunities for youth employment/vocational training,
with emphasis on addressing the barriers to such opportunities for delinquent and
drop out youth.
4. Develop more diversion programs in Lake County to divert first-time offenders and
eligible youth from the juvenile justice system. Work with the court and juvenile
justice system in the creation of said programs.
