The Tallahassee Marine Institute, located in a quiet residential section off West Tharpe Street, opened its doors to youthful offenders in November 1993. Students ranging in age from 14-18 are referred to TMI by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice as a result of juvenile law violations. Students attend TMI from all over Leon County.

Tallahassee Marine Institute’s philosophy is to encourage lifestyle changes by providing students with positive role models in a caring environment. The Institutes Family Services component maintains frequent contact with a students family and students are encouraged to work within their family setting to establish sound living skills and habits.

Youthful offenders referred to TMI participate in one of two programs; either a Day Program or the SAFE Program. Students in the Day Program initially participate in the Extended Services (ES) component and are required to come to school every day for the first 30 days. During the initial 30 days students must be in classes from 8:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night on week days and 9 hours each day on weekends.

The SAFE Program differs from the Day Program primarily because the emphasis is on aftercare for students who are returning to their home community from a variety of residential programs. Students in SAFE progress through a series of phases after meeting a series of performance objectives. Most of the SAFE students will be assimilated back into public school and work settings and will not necessarily be on the THMI campus during the day.

Youth at TMI all participate in a core curriculum of marine biology and earth sciences, seamanship, skin and scuba diving, aquatics, physical education, life skills, and academic and vocational education. A primary goal of this process of immersion is to improve academic skills such as reading comprehension, mathematics and language. The skills of each student are evaluated and a needs assessment is developed to build on strengths and improve on weaknesses. When students have achieved satisfactory levels, they are referred for preparation for the GED test.

Along with academic and vocational skill building, appropriate positive behavior is encouraged and rewarded. Students earn points for course completions and accomplishments, attendance, participation , conduct, attitude and leadership. These points are then used to "bid" on special trips, items and activities in the belief that it is important for these youngsters to realize that "good work precedes rewards" and that they are responsible for their own actions.

Tallahassee Marine Institute is affiliated with the Associated Marine Institutes, and is one of 40 programs operating in 10 states and the Cayman Islands. Each Institute uniquely tailors its program to the geographical strengths of each community using the ocean, wilderness, rivers and lakes to develop exciting curricula that challenge and motivate students to participate fully.

Role Model students interning at TMI have a tremendous opportunity to work with youth in an educational setting and can gain valuable experience in group counseling, tutoring, case management as well as one-on-one positive role modeling. Additionally, for those Role Model students close to graduation, TMI has an excellent record of employment of students whose work and dedication as interns was exceptional.

Traditionally since the beginning of the Role Model Program, Fall internships attract the lowest number of students, most preferring to get their practical experience and training in the Spring and Summer semesters. However, despite lower numbers, this Fall’s interns have taken off for more far flung locales.

Nicole Lucio, a junior in the Program chose New York City’s Department of Juvenile Justice as the agency where she will put her academic training into practice. She writes in her weekly journal that she already has a caseload of 10 clients.

Tanya Flear, a senior in the Program chose a privately operated sex offender program in Little Rock Arkansas. Tanya’s journal relates that she is already responsible for tutoring, counseling and evaluations of 10 boys in a cottage setting.

Doris Harrigan, a senior from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, chose an internship with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice here in Tallahassee. Doris, who spent her summer volunteering back in Tortola, now spends her 40 hour weeks as a case manager. Doris who is working with a graduate of the Role Model Program, Sandy Bell, writes that she has an incredible opportunity to learn first hand how the justice system works…from initial assessment at the intake center to court procedures, working with parents and school officials and case management.

Doris believes the skills and training she is receiving during her internship will prove invaluable when she returns to Tortola and begins a career in juvenile justice.

BACKGROUND

In response to state and national  concern about the rapid increase in serious juvenile crime and the growing number of  young people identified as, “at-risk,” the Juvenile Justice Role Model Development Program was established and began offering courses in the Fall of 1995. The Program received initial funding through the Florida Attorney General’s Office and has subsequently been funded by the Florida Legislature and corporate and private donations. From it’s inception, the Program has emphasized cultural and academic diversity and students are recruited from a broad range of disciplines including: criminal justice, criminology, sociology, psychology, education, music therapy, theatre and athletics. Through diversity of training and perspective, at-risk juveniles and young people already familiar with the justice system will interface with graduates of a program who have been specifically trained to provide the one element that has been missing in the lives of so many of  these troubled young people…a positive role model.  

OUR MISSION

The Juvenile Justice Role Model Program has a twofold mission. First, to utilize an interdisciplinary and multicultural curriculum through which students will obtain professional, academic and practical training and experience in the field of Juvenile Justice. Second, to establish a Human Resource Development Center for Florida, which will serve as a clearinghouse for employment in public and private sector juvenile justice agencies throughout the state and nation.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

In order to be eligible for an Internship and a Certificate in Juvenile Justice, Role Model students are required to successfully complete 18 hours of core courses with a letter grade of C or above. The courses listed below may be taken in any order and are offered each semester.

• Multicultural Perspectives on Adolescence & Adolescent Development

• Youth Management, Community Organizations & Advocacy

• Minorities, Crime & Social Policy

• Juvenile Justice

• Social Problems of Youth

• Qualitative Research Methods

In addition to course requirements, students must complete fifty hours of uncompensated volunteer community service. These volunteer hours must be documented and completed before the Juvenile Justice Certificate will be awarded. Core course instructors and Program staff  will assist and recommend  service opportunities for students who are unable to locate a suitable agency.

STAFF SUPPORT

Throughout enrollment in the Program, students receive continuous support from the Program faculty and staff. Bi-weekly meetings for interns provide a forum for exchange of ideas and discussion of internship experiences as well as an opportunity to develop relationships with others committed to the field of juvenile justice.

THE INTERNSHIP

Upon completion of the core courses, students are eligible for a 12 hour internship at an approved juvenile justice agency. Students with an overall GPA of 2.5 may apply for a paid internship. Students accepted for internship will work 40 hours per week for an entire semester and will gain valuable direct experience in a typical juvenile justice setting.

TO QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM

Those interested in the Role Model Program should contact the Program Office for an information packet. As part of the qualification process, applicants will be asked to submit a brief essay explaining why they believe they are qualified to become a positive  role model. After review by the Program Director and staff, applicants will be notified of acceptance.