City of Miami Beach Teen Club Gang and Drug Prevention Program

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), 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 recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, 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 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

The City of Miami Beach will support the Miami Beach Teen Club Gang and Drug Prevention Program. The primary goal of this program is 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 mentally strong healthy fit individuals. The program's main objective is to promote healthy relationships that facilitate social skill development. This will be accomplished through increasing educational and athletic program offerings that appeal to teenage youth. With a current enrollment of 289 participants, the program seeks to increase participation by adding a sports component for all teens in the Miami Beach area. The City of Miami Beach will expand its outreach services in athletics as well as fully replicating its current curriculum. The activities for the program will include Teen Athletic Leagues, weekly social skills training classes, drug prevention and alcohol awareness seminars, and community service opportunities. Progress will be measured by enrollment, participants' attendance, surveys, and the completion of prevention programs.

NCA/NCF