Community Development

1. Community Development Gadsden CountyModel of Program, Part 2

2. A Miracle in Gadsden County? The Questions…

3. Is it possible?... • For crime in a disadvantaged community to be dramatically reduced? • For rates of dropouts, prison populations, and recidivism to be significantly lowered? • For the police, country government, churches and schools… and the community at large, to collaborate toward the goal of healthy youth, in healthy families, in a healthy community?

4. Here is the Story,Facts & Statistics: • Of how a village did come together for the welfare of children and the next generation. • How collaborative government agencies and faith-based initiatives can change the course of a community.

5. Gadsden County”The Village Concept”(Open Book/Open Mind)

6. What is the Village Concept? The Proverb “it takes a village “ has been widely known to be African. A village resides together and depend on each other for existence. The village takes care of everyone who lives there. The bond is strong and you must depend on each other for existence. The word “village” is English in origin. In England, a group of people would live together as a hamlet and would only be able to be called a village after they had built a church. The church became the moral compass for the people as they based their laws and beliefs from the Bible. The church took care of those who could not take care of themselves.

7. Sheriff Morris A. Young Upon his election in 2004, Sheriff Morris A. Young and his staff began the process of developing a comprehensive strategy to reverse the trajectory of crime in Gadsden County. It became clear early on, that a “get tough on crime approach” would not be enough to have a significant impact on the overall level of crime. In order to generate the desired outcome, the team determined the plan must incorporate measures to provide long-term solutions by bridging the longstanding divide within the county, regenerating trust with various segments of the community, and providing hope through a renewed “sense of community.”

8. Board of County Commissioners Commissioners Eric Hinson, Brenda Holt, Dr. Viegbesie, Gene Morgan, Sherry Taylor. The Board of County Commissioners make a commitment: • To secure safety and positive reentry • To improve the jail • To start Summer Work Programs for children • To develop the option of Work Squads instead of jail

9. Gadsden County School Board • Courage to stand by some strong decisions • Accepted the short coming of the system • Were willing to go outside the box when asked • Superintendent Reginald James • Board Members: Steve Scott, Charlie Frost, • Audrey Lewis, Isaac Simmons Jr., Roger Milton

10. Gadsden County School System “No Excuses” Motto Superintendent Reginald James • Alternative schools were established to help with children who struggle with traditional settings. • Drop back in programs were established • Afterschool programs (21st Century) • A very close relationship with Law Enforcement • In School Suspension was promoted as better option

11. Juvenile Court Judge Kathy Garner Gadsden County Judge • County Judge takes over Juvenile Court • Took a personal interest in her community • Holds everyone accountable

12. Circuit Judges Chief Judge Jonathan Sjostrom (top), Judge Kathleen Dekker (bottom left) Judge Barbara Hobbs (right) • Circuit Judges take a special interest in our issues • Make sure that the system doesn’t break down • And that everyone gets a fair shake

13. Gadsden County Historical Facts • Demographics • Incarceration facts • Status of Children • Mom and Child • Education

14. Gadsden County Economics and Demographics • 516 square miles • 66% minority • 16 Affordable Housing Complexes “Government Supplement” • 55.6% of houses are by female householder with children less than 18

15. Gadsden County Incarceration facts • 326 people were sent to prison in one year, as • less than 200 graduate from high school each year, and • juvenile arrests averaged 265 peryear from 1999 to 2003 (FDLE Crime Stats)

16. Gadsden Countystatus of children • Over 47% of our children live in poverty today, more than double the FL and US rate (North West Florida Early Childhood Consortium) • 55.6% of houses are by female householder with children less than 18 (North West Florida Early Childhood Consortium) • 13,077 people get food stamps and there are many who live off those stamps not counted • Gadsden spends $7,096 per pupil, but the state spends $19,275 per inmate. We spend twice as much for prisoners as we do for our children • 81.7% of our children get free/reduced lunches; almost twice the national average

17. Gadsden County facts about mom and child • Almost 1/3 of children are born to a mother with less than a high school education • Only 12% of women enter postsecondary educational programs • Babies born in Gadsden are 70% more likely to have a teen mother than other counties in the state • Over 2/3 of children are born to an unwed mother • 12.7% of people with no vehicle/ twice state average. (The % of cars that don’t work would send that number up.) • As many as 725 children homeless in ‘07 according to DOE

18. Gadsden County Education in the past • Over 19% of children in Junior and High School were truant for more than 21 days in 2001 • 23.9 %to 26.7% of our children received out of school suspension in 2001 • 43% of our children did not graduate on time as they entered high school in 2003 • 85% of our students tested below average in 2001 in reading • When state testing started in 1998 one school passed. It was a “C”.

19. Winning with the Village Concept Persistent Enforcement Point of Contact begins Re-Entry Re-Entry Prevention

20. Persistent Enforcement • Serve notice / Resolve • Relentless pursuit of violent offenders • Always visible, “not just during enforcement times” • Allow the community to enforce themselves / Buy in

21. Point of Contact • Building bridges • Prevention before incarceration • DAP theory • Changing stereotypes • Doing more than just locking people up

22. Why Re-Entry? • Recidivism Reduction: Overall decrease in inmate population • Fewer inmates returning: Revolving Door • Below Capacity for first time in 3 ½ decades

23. What is Re-Entry • GED • Anger Management • Substance Abuse • Employable Skills • Horticultural and Landscaping • Judicial Readiness • Trustee Program

24. Re-Entry Chaplin Program • Church: Inside/Outside • Bible Study • Counseling • Outreach • Reunification • Baptism • Re-Entry started with Jesus

25. “CopsandKids” • SRO “Top Officers” • Teen Court • AMI • Jail Tour • GadsdenLeadership Academy / Criminal Justice in Class

26. What Gadsden County has accomplished by State of Florida numbers

27. Changing the FutureSchool Growth • Gadsden Elementary Magnet School ranks top 10 in State of Florida • Gadsden 1# in math in the big bend in 2011 • From Failing and a “C” school to “A” schools • From 43.1% graduation in 2003 to over 65% this year

28. Changing the FutureJuveniles Arrested (FDLE)

29. Changing the Future • 1999 to 2008 there were 2,279 children arrested • Over the last three years we have averaged 87 Children a year. • With an average of87Children over the next 10 years = 870 children • That means that using these methods 1,409 children will not be arrested in the next decade.

30. Changing the Future

31. Arrest/Delinquent

32. Changing the Future • 1998 to 2007 there were 5,178 children considered Delinquent/Arrested in Gadsden County • The last three years average total of 177 Delinquent/Arrested • 4200less children will fall in to the system in the next decade

33. Changing the FuturePeople sent to prison

34. Breaking the Cycle • 2005-2009 there was an average of 265 people sent to prison • In 2015 there were 86 people sent to prison • 179 per year fewer go to prison • 208% reduction

35. The Future Our Children They are being victimized and incarcerated at an alarming rate. If we are unable to change our thought processes, our children will pay the price for our failures.

36. Pastors/Churches • Answering the call (night or day) • Changing the mindset of our people • In the streets (crime, drug abuse/intervention, and education) • Days of Prayer • Hallelujah Night instead of Halloween • Watch Night on New Year’s Eve

37. Law Enforcement Major Shawn Wood Law Enforcement Bureau Chief Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office 339 East Jefferson Street Quincy, FL 32351 (850) 519-4295 shawnw@tds.net

38. Corrections Major Robert Barkley Corrections Bureau Chief Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office 2135 Pat Thomas Pkwy Quincy, FL 32351 (850) 251-3623 robertbarkley@tds.net

39. How do you respond to this awesome community story? • Do you want to know more? • With whom can you discuss the effective collaboration seen here? • Is your community demonstrating collaboration between municipal and faith-based institutions and leaders?