1. The Successful Offeror shall provide to each referred female and her parents/ legal guardians two-hour weekly sessions two days a week for 10 weeks (youth) with four two-hour weekly sessions specifically for (parent/guardian) addressing areas identified below. One of the youth sessions is to be devoted to a two-hour group community service project that incorporates the program’s learning strategies in the project. The females targeted will primarily range in age from 14 through 17 with an understanding 13 year old youth may be referred if the referring source indicates the youth’s maturity level is higher than chronological age. The females and their custodial parents will be referred by the 14th CSU (diversion and probation) and/or ordered by the HCJDRDC to attend these groups. When feasible, groups shall run concurrently in both the eastern and western sections of the County with locations approved in advance by the VJCCCA Coordinator. An evidence-based curriculum is to be utilized emphasizing cognitive behavioral strategies and strength- based programming. The program shall encompass current research and best practices as evidenced above. 2. Services shall include, but shall not be limited to: a. Preparing a curriculum/learning strategy/plan(s) for each of the meetings of an assigned PEARLS session as identified below. A maximum of ten groups will be run per fiscal year unless prior approval is secured in advance by the VJCCCA Coordinator. There may be unique situations where the curriculum may need to be covered one on one with each family due to extenuating circumstances. This type of situation would consist of providing services one on one in lieu of a family participating in the group process. The VJCCCA Coordinator will advise of such circumstances. Group assignment and curriculum material are to be age appropriate and gender specific. b. Providing gender specific group services to referred females who range in age from 14 through 17 years of age, will be before the Court, Henrico County Public Schools or Intake on a petition alleging a Delinquent Offense or Child in Need of Supervision, and meet VJCCCA program criteria. Females to be served may be described as: i. Having delinquency records characterized by brevity; generally Disorderly Conduct, CHINSup, Assault, or substance abuse related offenses; ii. Exhibiting behaviors that are due to poor decision making, anger control or conflict resolution skills; iii. Exhibiting inappropriate sexual behavior or risky behavior that the judiciary or CSU staff feel could benefit from the program; iv. The CSU completed Youth Assessment Strength Inventory (YASI) assessment reflects low/moderate risk to reoffend with low/moderate protective factors; v. Considered posing minimal/moderate threat to public safety; and vi. Considered amenable to treatment within the community and without mental health concerns that would impede ability to actively engage in group dynamics and intervention. Juveniles charged or with a history of felonious assaults, violent felonies or females with psychosis shall not be served unless permission is first secured by the VJCCCA Coordinator or juveniles are Court ordered into the program. c. Presenting age appropriate information on identified topic areas as follows: i. Basic etiquette; ii. Appearance and overall health and hygiene; iii. Dressing/speaking appropriately, negative attitudes/demeanor/image being projected; iv. Life skills (table manners, financial responsibility, employment, dress); v. Promiscuous behavior and dating safety; vi. Placing self in risky situations, setting boundaries or displaying risky behavior; vii. Age appropriate/developmental behavior; viii. Cultural/ethnicity responsivity; ix. The value of self-worth/respecting self; x. Importance of emotional triggers, emotional health and physical health; xi. Defining healthy relationships/impediments to same and recognizing red flags; xii. Impact/importance of mother/daughter relationships; xiii. An awareness to and reaction to trauma, grief, loss/therapeutic intervention; xiv. Gender relevant topics; xv. Attachments to unhealthy interpersonal relationships; xvi. Support system dynamics – positive or negative; xvii.Impact of substance abuse, eating disorders, etc. on decision making and subsequent negative impact on self; xviiii.Dangerous use of social media/implications; xix.History of negative role models/expose in group to positive male and female role models and utilization of guest speakers (i.e. Judge, attorney, police officer).
