Programming
FIVE MODEL PROGRAMS
See the Girl: In Elementary
See the Girl: In the Middle
See the Girl: In the Community
See the Girl: Open Doors
Girls’ Leadership Council
See the Girl: In Elementary and See the Girl: In the Middle are program models that intervene early in girls’ lives to improve school connectedness and prevent school suspensions and expulsions. Research indicates that school failure is a major precursor for girls entering the juvenile justice system. Policy Center professionals and interns lead these programs from embedded school classrooms and provide teachers with an alternative to suspension while helping girls to develop social and emotional skills needed for school success and connectedness. Girls receive individualized interventions that address underlying issues contributing to their acting out behaviors (trauma, family stressors) and are provided with one-to-one sessions focused on their personal safety, relationships, communication, emotions and identity. Policy Center staff and interns build trusted, growth fostering relationships with girls that promote healthy relationships at home and in the community.
For information on the model and impact visit the Research page: Impact of Model Programs
For more information about the program, contact Kim Gallon, School Based Programs Manager [email protected]
Interested in a school-based internship?
See the Girl: In the Community addresses the critical lack of resources for girls in crisis in our community including: the few mental health supports options available, fragmented community response, and lack of continuity of care for girls transitioning from one part of the juvenile justice system to another.
Designed to meet girls wherever they are on the juvenile justice continuum: at high risk, in diversion, in juvenile detention, in women’s pre-trial detention, in lock-up, and in transitioning back to the community. The services follow girls and young women to meet their individualized needs. Girl-Centered counseling and family counseling is provided, as well as comprehensive care management. These intensive services involve setting the therapeutic goals with the girls and young women. There is no limit on the number of sessions she has access to and includes 24-hour support. Care management includes crisis intervention, individual level advocacy to gain access to appropriate resources, monitoring quality of services, mentoring, transitional and re-entry services, housing, employment support, school connectedness, and re-engagement. Care managers also help girls and families navigate legal processes which can include arranging pro-bono legal services when warranted.
See the Girl: In the Community (formerly GMIC) was created by the Policy Center and piloted from 2013-15 in response to: the few treatment options available, fragmented community response, and lack of continuity of care for girls transitioning from one part of the juvenile justice system to another.
For more information, contact Sakenia Washington, Clinical Manager, [email protected]
See the Girl: Open Doors provides support and services to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation between the ages of 10 – 24. Our approach is survivor informed, collaborative, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed. Developed with the understanding that survivors’ needs are complex and meeting them all are critical to the healing journey, the Open Doors Program provides comprehensive services in the following areas: 1) critical community reentry resources (for education, employment, housing etc.), 2) emotional support or safety services, 3) criminal/civil justice system assistance and 4) mental health counseling.
The Open Doors team of Survivor Mentors, Clinicians, Regional Advocates, and Victim Service Coordinators collaborate seamlessly to play a crucial role in the care and support of individuals who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation. Serving as a guide and source of support, Survivor Mentors assist survivors in navigating the intricate challenges of their lived experiences. With a focus on long-term assistance, they assess survivors’ needs and aid them in establishing and achieving new and achievable goals. The Regional Advocate collaborates with both team members and community partners, leveraging relationships to connect survivors with available services and fostering a supportive community environment. Clinicians on the team provide mental health services, contributing to the overall well-being of clients. Through a collaborative approach, the Open Doors team tailors its services to address the unique and individual needs of survivors.
For questions about the program contact Stephanie Burke, Vice President of Model Programming & Partnerships [email protected]
The 24 hour access line is 904-412-8923
The See the Girl: Leadership Council is a girl-led, girl-focused group that elevates the voices of girls and young women, especially those who have been or are currently involved with the juvenile justice and/or foster care systems. Girls are empowered to develop the program guidelines, the mission, and the vision for the council within an organization that celebrates diversity and champions women.
The Council provides girls with opportunities to talk about their experiences in a safe environment, to build relationships and develop leadership skills through skill building seminars and trainings, to develop community service projects of their choosing, and to develop healthy mentoring relationships with women leaders from the community. Participants identify topics of interest and are given opportunities to hear from and meet with women experts in those identified fields.
Collaborating with women leaders of today, girls will become leaders of tomorrow. Through presentations, women leaders share the challenges they have successfully overcome through their life’s journey, and the girls on the council will learn how to be effective leaders and advocates for themselves and for others.
For more information on joining the Girls’ Leadership Council or how to become a presenter/mentor, please contact Michelle Goolsby, Group Facilitator [email protected] or 904-701-3813
Expected outcomes for Girls’ Leadership Council members:
- Confidence
- Discovery of personal leadership style
- Strong ties with their community
- Positive relationships with girls and women
- Enrichment through music, yoga retreats, art, etc.
Funding Notes: The following programs are partly funded by the Department of Juvenile Justice: See the Girl: In Elementary, in the Middle, and in the Community.
See the Girl: Continuity of Care (formerly GMIC The Girl Matters®: Continuity of Care) demonstration project was funded by The Women’s Giving Alliance, The Jacksonville System of Care, Baptist Health Foundation, Florida Blue Foundation, and Lutheran Services of Florida (LSF Health Systems). The project continues with funding from LSF Health Systems LLC, State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
The DBWPC, INC. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
