JUVENILE JUSTICE

 

• Secured Harrison County's first $730,000 Juvenile Intervention Court Grant (2024) from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to address juvenile substance use disorder in delinquency and child-in-need-of-supervision cases.

• Purchased a Transportation Van to assist juveniles facing transportation challenges.

• Hired a Peer Support Specialist with experience in substance use disorder.

• Implemented the Life Skills Reimagined Program to teach basic life skills to parents and juveniles.

• Partnered with a martial arts club to provide scholarship opportunities for Karate classes, teaching discipline and behavior modification.

• Collaborated with the Harrison County Sheriff's Office to establish a Traffic Stop Academy, educating juveniles on how to respond during traffic stops.

• Established Military Day for juveniles interested in learning about the different branches of the military.

• Partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to implement the Impact Program, mentoring 4th-6th graders.

• Worked with Big Brother Big Sister to establish a Mississippi Gulf Coast chapter.

• Established a Resource and Assessment Center (the first of its kind in the State of Mississippi) with Choices to screen and connect juveniles to therapeutic, mental health, in-home, or wraparound services.

• Partnered with the Biloxi Catholic Diocese to bring ministry and mentoring programs to the Juvenile Detention Center.

• Collaborated with the Gulfport Police Department on the Before the Bullet Program, aimed at preventing youth involvement in gun violence.

• Collaborated with schools, law enforcement, and the medical community to improve communication and address issues affecting youth, particularly, crossover youth.

• Brought mentors, motivational speakers, and ministries to the Juvenile Detention Center, including: 

 - Ricky Johnson, Jr. - mentor and motivational speaker

 - Craig Scott, Columbine shooting survivor - motivational speaker for detained and              probation youth.

 - Biloxi Police Department - mentorship program.

 - Youth for Christ - ministry support.

 - KAIROS International Prison Ministries, Torch Program - mentorship and ministry.