Intensive case management is provided in which program staff identify the needs of the young person and find resources in the community to address these needs. Primary services include restitution, community service, family and community empowerment activities and referrals to other community services. The Barnyard Community Center is a JASS program site serving local children and youth with after-school activities and their families. The Center provides a career awareness mentoring program for fifth graders. The program is coordinated with the local middle school.
Mentors come once a week.
Many of the young people are from families on welfare and are not around family members with jobs. The Center's funding comes from the Dade Metropolitan Office of Services for Neighborhood Employment, the United Way and private foundations. At the conclusion, a debriefing of participants was held. Money does make a difference in staff preparation and the quality of services a community based organization is able to offer. The role of CBOs in education and provision of services to youth is not sufficiently recognized.