Miami Beach Teen Club Gang and Teen Prevention Program

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The City of Miami Beach will support the Miami Beach Teen Club Gang and Teen Prevention Program. The primary goals of the Miami Beach Teen Club Gang and Teen Prevention program are to prevent and reduce delinquent behavior and keep the community's at-risk youth in a positive environment, which will foster personal growth and encourage teens to become well-rounded individuals. The program's main objective is to promote healthy relationships that facilitate social skill development. This will be accomplished through increasing quality program offerings that appeal to teenage youth. With their current enrollment of 120 participants, the program seeks to serve at least 250 youth over a period of two years by expanding outreach services at the existing site as well as fully replicating and developing the teen club program at their new facility. The activities for the program will include weekly skills training classes, drug prevention and alcohol awareness seminars, and community service opportunities. Progress will be measured by participant's attendance, surveys, and the completion of prevention programs.

NCA/NCF