NCJ Number
141716
Journal
Profile Volume: 5 Issue: 5 Dated: (February 1993) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The Florida Practical and Cultural Education (PACE) Center for Girls, established in 1984, offers juvenile justice programming targeted at adolescent girls.
Abstract
Criteria of the program have always been broad so as to eliminate only girls displaying substance abuse, violent tendencies, or the need for long-term counseling. The program, based in Jacksonville, initially recruited 10 clients from the local detention center. These girls moved back into their homes or foster care and concentrated on academic courses for which they were awarded high school credit. The Jacksonville Community College let the program use its library, computers, and home economics facilities. Life skills courses covered family planning, drug and alcohol education, career development, nutrition, and sexual abuse. Since its inception, PACE centers have opened in other Florida cities. Most participants today are referred for problems ranging from school failure, running away, lack of parental communication, and chronic truancy; however, some participants have been arrested for more serious crimes. The importance of attendance is emphasized, but the program administrators refrain from expelling or suspending students. All programs conduct individualized, 3-year follow-up meetings.