Title: Culinary Education and Training Program for At-Risk Youth

Series: Fact Sheet

Author: Sandra Susan Brunson and E. Wilburn Smith

Published: April 2001

Subject: Alternatives to incarceration juveniles, School-based programs,
Juvenile delinquency prevention

4 pages

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Culinary Education and Training Program for At-Risk Youth

by Sandra Susan Brunson and E. Wilburn Smith

In 1998, with support from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention, Johnson & Wales University's (JWU's) North Florida Campus
designed and implemented the Culinary Education and Training Program for
At-Risk Youth (CETARY), a 9-month, custom-designed culinary arts
certificate program. JWU has one of the largest culinary arts divisions in the
world. The program provides at-risk youth with specialized, hands-on
education and training to help them achieve their goals (educational, work life,
etc.) and become productive citizens.

Program Description

The CETARY program offers professional training in one of Miami's high
growth industries--food service. The youth referred to the program are 16-18
years of age with at least a ninth-grade academic capability (candidates are
tested). Each must have committed a nonviolent crime and either dropped out
of high school or be at risk of dropping out. Youth are referred to the program
by the 10th and 11th Circuit Courts of Florida, the Florida Department of
Juvenile Justice, the Florida Department of Children and Families, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Job Corps, and the Miami
Job Corps Center. The CETARY program is seen as a last chance for many of
these youth before facing more restrictive sanctions in the juvenile and criminal
justice systems.

Participants in CETARY are trained primarily in the art of food preparation.
Students take courses such as cooking fundamentals, continental cuisine,
introduction to baking, and principles of dining room services. Students also
study for a General Equivalency Degree (GED) and participate in personal and
professional development courses. Case management services and student
employment counselors are available, and each youth's progress is closely
monitored throughout the program.

Upon completion of the training program, youth are given two options: they can
enter the workforce or continue their education. Students interested in entering
the workforce can join a placement initiative. This initiative assists youth in
finding employment and ensures that the food service industry is aware of the
CETARY program and the training it provides. Youth who choose to continue
their education receive support from the JWU Admissions Office as they
prepare to enter a 2-year associate degree program in culinary arts. If accepted
at JWU, youth can apply for advance standing as a result of their CETARY
program training. Financial assistance is provided. 

Program Partnerships

The CETARY program is a collaborative effort of the Judicial Circuit Courts of
Florida, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Florida Department of Children
and Families, USDA Forest Service Job Corps, Miami Job Corps Center,
North Miami Elks Lodge #1835, and the Miami-Dade Transit Agency, which
provides transportation assistance. 

A strong working alliance has also been formed with the Miami-Dade and
Broward food service and hospitality industries. This relationship allows youth
to periodically study and practice in the public service arena and offers them an
opportunity for career placement after completion of the program.

Program Accomplishments

The program has recently implemented an evaluation component. However, it
has already demonstrated indicia of effectiveness, such as maintaining a
70-percent retention rate. Since the inception of this program, the President of
JWU has deemed the CETARY program one of the Florida campus's top
community outreach priorities and, in 1999, the program was highlighted as a
model in the University President's Report. Both the Florida Department of
Justice and USDA Forest Service Job Corps recognize the CETARY program
as a viable employment option for at-risk and delinquent youth. Other
communities have contacted JWU to learn more about the program and
consider replication. This program not only serves as an alternative to
incarceration for at-risk youth, but gives them an opportunity to learn an
employment skill that can improve their chances to become productive
members of the community.

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For Further Information 

For additional information about the CETARY program, contact:

Johnson & Wales University

Student Academic Center, Suite 501

North Florida Campus

North Miami, FL 33181

305-892-7047

305-892-7065 (fax)

cetary@jwu.edu (e-mail)


To obtain copies of other OJJDP publications, contact:

Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse

800-638-8736

301-519-5600 (fax)

puborder@ncjrs.org (e-mail)

www.ncjrs.org/puborder (Internet)

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Sandra Susan Brunson, M.S.W., is a Program Manager with OJJDP's Special
Emphasis Division. E. Wilburn Smith is Executive Director of CETARY.

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The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a component 
of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice
Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, 
and the Office for Victims of Crime.

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FS-200107