Missouri Juvenile Justice Association Spring Conference Creating and Improving Gender Responsive Services 101
What is GRS? • GRS=Gender Responsive Services • Historically the Juvenile Justice System focused on male youth • Change from “painting boy’s programs pink” to specific services for girls • Girls are more relational, need intimate relationship, and more personal connection
History of GRS in Greene County • 3 Years GRS (Gender Responsive Services) has been a focus • Position became funded in February 2013 for Gender Responsive Services Coordinator/Probation Officer • GEM’s
What is GEM’s? Girls Empowering Minds and Spirits
GEM’s Girls Empowering Minds and Spirits • Mission: GEMs strives to impact the lives of all young women who are provided services through the Greene County Juvenile Office, by promoting healthy relationships, a focus on gratitude and positive community engagement. Through internal motivation and interactions designed to help these young women grow and realize their full potential, they develop an improved sense of self. With new self interest, these young women will be able to advocate for themselves and contribute to the community in a positive way now and in the future. • Vision: “Strengthening hearts and values now, for a dynamic, self- confident future.”
How to get started • SMALL! – Internal Group at Juvenile Office – Use Small Conference Room/Large Office – Obtain GRS Curriculum (Girl’s Circle or Savvy Sister) • Reach out to community partners! – Anyone doing gender specific services for youth? • Drug Treatment • Schools • Girl Scouts • Colleges • Boy’s and Girl’s Club
What you need to get started • Invested Staff – Find opportunity that staff would enjoy as well as girls – Make it fun! • Facility (large office, conference room, room dedicated to GRS-ANYTHING to get going!) – Facility should be comfortable for girls, welcoming, and warm • Set goals for the upcoming year
Development of “CORE TEAM” • Develop a Core Team to make final decisions on services/programming • Each Core Team member is responsible for a focus area of GRS • Greene County split GRS Core Team into the following: – Networking – Case Management – Marketing – Research and Development – Programming – Event Planning
Networking • Attend events to meet supporters and make community contacts – i.e. women’s conferences, women’s organizations, community events, etc. • Reach out to other organizations offering Gender Responsive Services for partnership
Case Management • Gender Responsive services must be integrated and supported by all areas - Delinquency, Probation, and Abuse and Neglect • GEM’s has gender responsive conditions of Probation that outline requirements for each participant • Inviting all members of the office is imperative to successful integration
Marketing • Use Newspaper/Radio/TV to get word out about what you are doing • Website • USE SOCIAL MEDIA! • Prepare a community newsletter to send monthly to followers *All of these things will help draw attention to your programs and services
Research and Development • Staff training is key! – Lunch Time Learning • College Professors-Gender Studies • Community members practicing GRS services • Resources related to issues impacted girls we serve – Find resources for GRS training • MJJA Conferences, Savvy Sister Training through MJJA • The INTERNET is a powerful tool! – “Google” –Girl’s Programming, GRS, etc – Search for program and services growth • Track relevant stats/data for your organization – Is what you are doing working? – Surveys for youth/parents/staff
Programming • Plan the groups you would like to run – What curriculum to use? – Who can help us present? • Community Members? • Enhance current partnerships • Research and expand to new local partners – Meet other doing GRS • Girl Scouts • Girls on the Run – Tour female focused facilities • Division of Youth Services • Children’s Division placements
Event Planning • Plan speakers for the girls • Host community events – Gathering resources for families and community members to access – Host fundraiser or event in which other organizations will find mutual benefit • Plan community outings for the girls to have an opportunity to “give back” – Find agencies to volunteer as a group at – Attend women’s conferences, community events, 5k’s, sporting events, and holiday activities
GREENE COUNTY, MO 31 st Circuit
Services Offered in Greene County • GRS Case Management • JEWELS • REC (Recreation, Education, and Creation) • EPIC (Engaging Positively in the Community) Adventures • In the Spotlight • GEM’s Sports! • Investment Network
GRS Case Management • GRS Rules – All informal and formal girls are placed on gender specific rules of probation. • Abuse and Neglect – Expanding how we serve these youth – Crossover youth
JEWELS • Weekly open group • Tuesday evenings • 4:00pm – 6:00 pm • Girls are required to attend 6 or 12 weeks • Based on Savvy Sister Curriculum Contact MJJA-Christina Gamblin for Savvy Sister training and curriculum
Pictures from JEWELS group
EPIC Adventures (Engaging Positively in the Community) Community engagement opportunities for girls GIVE BACK! Volunteering Conferences Forums Community Fairs and Events 5k Runs
Pictures from Epic Adventures
In the Spotlight • Women of Excellence in the Community • Sharing “their story” • Life Experiences • Challenges • Strategies to Overcome Adversity • How they got where they are today • Accomplishments • Words of Advice/Guidance
Pictures from In the Spotlight
REC (Recreation, Education and Creation) Opportunities for girls to participate in fun activities with staff support and guidance. • Weekly open group • Tuesday evenings • 4:00pm – 6:00 pm • Not required Arts/Crafts Game Night Field Trips Documentaries Physical Fitness Health/Beauty
Pictures from REC
GEM’s Sports – Partnering with The Sporting Chance – GEM’s has participated in Softball, Volleyball, Bowling, and Track – This is offered free for the girls
Pictures from GEM’s Sports
GEM’s Coach Reflections
IN Investment Network • Volunteers • Support for needs a girl may have • Engaging our community with our GEM’s
What do you want? • Start small but have great dreams! • Set Goals – Who is responsible for each item? – When should they be completed? – How can this work? – Who do we need involved?
How to grow GRS • GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED!!! – People not directly involved with Juvenile Office – Volunteers!!! – People in fields related to topics areas for groups • Nurse, domestic violence shelter, women of significance in the community
Staff/Volunteer Training • Ongoing training opportunities – Contact MJJA for Savvy Sister training • Education related to community GRS partners and needs of girls (Lunch Time Learning) • Get everyone on same page with expectations! – Have a training session prior to beginning
ALWAYS BRAINSTORM NEW IDEAS! • Some we have are: – Volunteer Banquet – Mother’s/Father’s Day Banquet – Holiday Activities – Book Club
Greene County/State Resources • Missouri Juvenile Justice Association – Christina Gamblin – Office: 573-636-6101 christy@mjja.org – http://mjja.org/resources/gender/ • Alternative Opportunities – LUV (Life of Unlimited Visions) Phone: 417-862-3455 ext 713 • Center For Dispute Resolution – Circle for Girls Program Phone: 417-836-8831 Email: CDR@Missouristate.edu Website: http://missouristate.edu/cdr/ • Nightlight Branson – http://nightlightinternational.com/
National/Online Resources for GRS • Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center • https://www.seethegirl.org/ • PACE Center, Florida – http://www.pacecenter.org/ • National Center for Crime and Delinquency (NCCD)- Center for Girls & Young Women – http://nccdglobal.org/what-we-do/center-for- girls-young-women
Check out GEM’s! • Greene County Juvenile Office website – Check us out! • http://greenecountymo.org/juvenile/gems/index.php • Facebook: – Like us on Facebook! • https://www.facebook.com/gcjogems
Questions? Staci Hampton GEM’s Coordinator 31 st Judicial Circuit 1111 N. Robberson, Springfield MO 65802 Staci.hampton@courts.mo.gov Phone: 417-829-6123 Jamie Raab Director of Community Based Services 31 st Judicial Circuit 1111 N. Robberson, Springfield MO 65802 Jamie.Raab@courts.mo.gov Phone: 417-829-6130
Thank you very much for your time and interest.
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