Diversity of How Youth Relate … Presented by: Lynn Knezevich, Gwen’s Girls, Inc. Nancy Sabol, Gannondale Pat Yeager, Vision Quest Examining Gender-Specific Issues & Responsive Programming Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services 2005 Membership Meeting

Outline Overview of Gender-Specific/Responsive Services & Programs Gender-Specific Clinical/Treatment Issues that often manifest and must be practically addressed Focus on Trauma in Gender-Specific Treatment: Understanding & Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Overview of Gender-Specific/ Responsive Services & Programs Lynn Knezevich, Gwen’s Girls, Inc.

Brief History of Gender- Responsive Programs 1970’s: 1974: Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) passed No gender-specific requirements mentioned Focus on child rights & treatment of juveniles separate from adults Had provisions to address specific needs of status offenders 1976: Jean Baker Miller writes New Psychology of Women. Feminist Theory & Relational Theory: increased understanding of how women & girls develop & relate; equal rights of women, etc.

Brief History of Gender- Responsive Programs 1980’s: Increase in research & in development of female programming & services 1981: Stone Center at Wellesley College Founded (by Miller et al.) 1982: Carol Gilligan writes In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory & Women’s Development 1985: PACE Center for Girls established

Brief History of Gender- Responsive Programs 1990’s: 1992: Reauthorization of JJDP Act Requires states to identify gaps in ability to provide svs to female offenders; analysis of svs required, as well as plan for providing svs Represented first time for many states that an organized effort to scrutinize state system and how relates to adolescent females Separate funding for 10 activities: Most states focus on est. policies to prohibit gender bias in placement & treatment and est. programs to ensure female youth have access to full range of svs Led to new & improved efforts to better serve girls

Brief History of Gender- Responsive Programs 1990’s: some highlights 1992: Judith Herman writes Trauma & Recovery 1998: OJJDP publishes Guidelines for Promising Female Programming Great deal of research re: G-S Services and Programming. Pennsylvania: Established PTSD training & certified sites thru PCCD

Brief History of Gender- Responsive Programs 2000 to Present: National 2002: Reauthorization of JJDP Act requiring states to create a plan for providing G-S services New funding stream thru Part C Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Block Grant OJJDP/JABG creates Gender- Responsive Programming Curriculum

Brief History of Gender- Responsive Programs 2000 to Present: Pennsylvania 2005: DPW’s Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) receives grant from PCCD to focus on development of a gender-responsive continuum of care for girls involved in Pennsylvania's juvenile justice system. Contact: Jenna Mehnert, Director of Policy & Planning at DPW for more info at

Why Girls Need Gender- Competent Programs Girls develop in unique & powerful ways that require specialized focus Programs designed for boys do not address unique & complex needs of girls Programs for are more successful when: For Boys Focus on rules Offer ways to advance thru structured system For Girls Focus on relationships with other people Offer ways to master their lives while keeping these relationships intact

Definitions Gender-Specific Services comprehensively addresses the needs of a gender group (female or male), fostering positive gender identity development Gender-Responsive Programming (GRP) for girls intentionally allows gender to affect & guide services, creating an environment through site selection, staff selection, program development, content & material that reflects and understanding of the realities’ of girls lives, and is addresses and responds to the strengths, issues, and needs of the girls and young women being served

Definitions OJJDP has defined GRP as those that are: designed to meet UNIQUE NEEDS of young at-risk and delinquent girls designed to meet UNIQUE NEEDS of young at-risk and delinquent girls that value the FEMALE PERSPECTIVE that value the FEMALE PERSPECTIVE that celebrate & honor the FEMALE EXPERIENCE that celebrate & honor the FEMALE EXPERIENCE that respect & take into account FEMALE DEVELOPMENT that respect & take into account FEMALE DEVELOPMENT that EMPOWER young women to reach their full potentialthat EMPOWER young women to reach their full potential

Recommendations for Overall Design Organization & Management: Organization & Management: “good gender-specific services begin with good services” Program Policies Assessment Tools, Screening Instruments & Intake Process Quality Assurance (Collecting Data on girls; Outcome Measurements; continuous feedback & input) Program Design & Service Delivery Aftercare/Followup Staff Qualifications & Staffing Patterns: Hiring & Staff Diversity: Staffing should reflect diversity of population served Training: in GRP, adolescent female development, risks & resiliency, knowledge of culture, and assessment Staff Retention

Key Components of GRP SAFE ENVIRONMENT HOLISTIC PROGRAMMING RELATIONSHIP- BASED STRENGTH- BASED EDUCATION & SKILLS HEALTH-BASED OTHER CRITICAL AREAS

Key Components of GRP SAFE ENVIRONMENT Physical Safety Emotional Safety Surroundings that Value Females Single-gender programming – in small groups, free from attention of adolescent males HOLISTIC PROGRAMMING Works with girl in her environments: Individually Families (involvement in treatment & programming) Schools Community (supports & reentry) Systems involved (courts, foster care, etc.) RELATIONSHIP-BASED Understand girls’ need for relationships & connection takes time for est. relationships Provides positive female role models & mentors focus on healthy relationships Focus on establishing supports & networks in communities, peer groups & with family STRENGTH-BASED EDUCATION & SKILLS Teach new skills based on strengths Provide equitable academic & vocational experiences Give girls control & voice in program Support leadership skill development Media Literacy HEALTH-BASED Addressing unique needs of females re: Physical Health, including recreational activities Sexual Health, including pregnancy & parenting Emotional & Mental Health Alcohol, Tobacco & Drug-Free Health (addressing history of Substance Abuse) Spiritual Health OTHER CRITICAL AREAS: Address trauma & victimization in girls’ lives be Culturally Competent and promote cultural connections Must address economic survival of girls as critical need, e.g. housing and employment needs Must be comprehensive, integrated & sustained over time

Gender-Specific Clinical/Treatment Issues Nancy Sabol, Gannondale

Focus on Trauma in Gender-Specific Treatment: Understanding & Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Pat Yeager, Vision Quest

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