Special Feature: Student Success Project funded by Justice Assistance Grant
Project Thrive is dedicated to reducing barriers for boys of color by improving and aligning the systems that provide services. We would like to highlight one example of our community leaders coming together to do their work differently to better meet the needs of youth in Santa Cruz County. We often say that youth are the future of our communities, and rightfully so; the way we support our youth and the values we instill will be reflected as they become adults. Sadly, not all youth have the same opportunities. Years of disinvestment in communities of color has resulted in inequities. Historically, Latinx and black youth have not been given the same opportunities as their wealthier and white counterparts. Graduation rates between youth of color and white youth were disproportionate and did not reflect the population percentages. The majority of youth on probation were from South County (primarily youth of color) compared to North County (primarily white youth). Amongst the youth on probation, the graduation rates of youth of color were significantly lower.
In Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Probation (SCCP) took note of discrepancies. Rather than just accepting the numbers, they decided to look beyond their immediate work to understand what could be done differently to truly provide the support our youth need. SCCP moved towards identifying the root causes behind youth failing programming, by using tools such as the JAIS assessment, it was discovered that the majority of the youth needs were social and emotional related. Youth were falling through the cracks due to lack of meaningful engagement, support, and services that were beyond what probation could do on its own.
Due to the successful collaboration between Santa Cruz County Probation (SCCP) the County Office of Education (COE), and the Santa Cruz Cruz County Sheriff's Department, they were able to apply for the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). Thus the Student Success Project was born and was possible to expand into three additional PVUSD sites, where they provided intervention and prevention strategies, such as connecting youth to therapists and employment support, to increase student success regarding attendance, credit accrual, and behavior.
In Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Probation (SCCP) took note of discrepancies. Rather than just accepting the numbers, they decided to look beyond their immediate work to understand what could be done differently to truly provide the support our youth need. SCCP moved towards identifying the root causes behind youth failing programming, by using tools such as the JAIS assessment, it was discovered that the majority of the youth needs were social and emotional related. Youth were falling through the cracks due to lack of meaningful engagement, support, and services that were beyond what probation could do on its own.
Due to the successful collaboration between Santa Cruz County Probation (SCCP) the County Office of Education (COE), and the Santa Cruz Cruz County Sheriff's Department, they were able to apply for the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). Thus the Student Success Project was born and was possible to expand into three additional PVUSD sites, where they provided intervention and prevention strategies, such as connecting youth to therapists and employment support, to increase student success regarding attendance, credit accrual, and behavior.
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