The GRACE Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

The Gender Responsive Adolescent Caseload Enrichment, or GRACE Program, provides specialized services to adolescent female probationers with a history of trauma, substance abuse or runaway behaviors. Probation Officers facilitate Girls Circle, a curriculum designed as a support group addressing the developmental needs of adolescent girls including self-image, anger management, health issues, drug & alcohol use, family problems and relationship issues. Overall, the objective of the GRACE Program is to have a positive impact on the increasing population of female juvenile offenders in order to reduce recidivism and out-of-home placement. This structured support group is designed to foster self-esteem, develop connections with positive role models and allow for genuine self expression and creative activity. Probation Officers have incorporated a number of innovative ways to provide meaningful community service and educational opportunities for girls. For example, GRACE girls volunteer at the Garden of Angels, a non-profit program that ensures that abandoned babies are honored and receive a final resting place. The girls also volunteer at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Loma Linda, CA offering consolation and gifts. Through the GRACE Program, the San Bernadino County Probation Department incorporated intensive probation supervision and a whole family approach with a variety of enrichment activities to bring about a positive change in each girl’s life. In the 2008-2009 fiscal year, 71 percent of the 98 girls participating completed probation. This rate increased to 81 percent in fiscal year 2009-2010.