Amend Strategy 9

Operation Safe Community Strategy 9: Launch the JustCare 180 program to “turn around” youth charged with unruly and delinquent offenses.”  The goal of Operation Safe Community is to make Memphis one of the safest communities of its size in the nation by 2011.  Fifteen research based strategies have been identified to reduce crime in Memphis and Shelby County.

• The goal of JustCare 180 is to reduce violence by prevention, a 180 degree turn.
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• Target is youth offenders between the ages of 10 and 15.  Between 400-600 youth and family members will be served in the two pilot neighborhoods.
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•  In 2005 there were nearly 30,000 suspensions or expulsions from Memphis and Shelby County Schools.
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• Each year approximately 12,500 youth come into contact with the juvenile justice system due to unruly or delinquent acts.
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• A career criminal, beginning as a juvenile, costs society $1.3-$1.5 million over their lifetime. Nearly half of all adult offenders began their careers as juveniles.
  
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• Studies show early intervention is effective. Based on results from similar initiatives in other cities, JustCare 180 is expected to reduce repeat offenses by 50%.
  
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• The Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) found after extensive research, the most effective intervention programs take a systems approach to working with at risk youth. This includes homes, schools, and communities.
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• Pilot neighborhoods are Hickory Hill and Soulsville, with the Southeast Memphis Community Development Corporation and the LeMoyne Owen Community Development Corporation as the lead agencies.
  
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• JustCare 180 will provide a social worker to assess the needs of youth and their families to determine the best resources for them and five family support providers will be located in the target neighborhoods.
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•  Each youth in the program and their family will be assigned to a family support provider. They will link youth and families with the services and resources they need, and work with them until that connection is made.
  
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• Most neighborhoods already have some resources for at risk youth. Needed is a systematic way to inventory and assess those resources, identifying strengths and gaps. Network Resources Managers, with the CDC’s, will fill that need.
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• The City of Memphis has provided $800,000 for twelve months. The fiscal agent is Tennessee Voices for Children, (TVC) a statewide organization.
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• TVC has already implemented two Federal “system of care” grants in Tennessee, and a Memphis Shelby County Juvenile Court program for diversion of youth with behavioral disorders.
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• TVC will provide technical assistance and support to the CDC’s assisting them with a permanent network of services. They have successfully used this model in Tennessee, with close to $1.5 million in grants to strengthen local organizations.
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• Federal grants have been secured to provide training and technical assistance. Funding is currently being sought to expand and sustain JustCare 180, after pilot results are obtained and evaluated.