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Girls Intervention Program PLUS
The Girls Intervention Program PLUS (GIPP) is a 12-week program catered to at-promise girls and their families, ages 13 to 17 who are first time offenders, are experiencing behavioral and academic challenges and are at-risk of being trafficked. The goal of GIPP is to prevent and reduce the sexual victimization and exploitation of girls who are most vulnerable, and to help girls develop protective factors that are foundational to healthy and fulfilled lives. GIPPis designed to reroute young girls away from the juvenile justice system and get them on the right track towards social, emotional, and academic growth. We do this through evidence-based, trauma-informed programs and services that teach girls valuable lessons and equip them with the proper tools to succeed in life.
Program Services
GIPP aims to transform the life vision of girls who have become involved or display indicators of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system, sex trafficking and other harmful behaviors. We facilitate research-based activities that target different aspects of a young girls life and the lives of their families. The program was created after the organizations’ leadership explored the issue of girls entering the juvenile justice system. They were alarmed by the high and increasing rate of girls that were entering the system especially, girls of color who made up the largest population of the demographic.
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The program will offer three components of service:
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Core Program involving 12 weeks or more and 130 hours of daily afterschool evidence-based programming designed to restore, heal, and empower girls to live fulfilling lives.
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Extended Program, for Core graduates, offers mentoring, college and career explorations and advocacy training and practice.
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Family Wrap Around Services, starting at initial assessment and continued year-round by a Targeted Case Manager and Licensed Mental Health Therapists, help girls and parents overcome barriers to program completion and to build protective factors as a foundation for success.
Daily services include research-based modularized structured learning sessions, substance abuse & violence prevention activities, sex trafficking prevention education, educational and vocational support, peer mentoring, life skills training, case management, assistance with community service hours, and – for those who need it – mental health and substance abuse counseling. Through a partnership with Agape Network and Jewish Community Services of South Florida, girls participate in trauma-informed individual and family therapy.
In order to ensure that program participants are making progress, we monitor their academic reports including school attendance, grades and behavior providing progress updates to their family.
Girls are graduated from the program after 12 weeks or after making significant progress in their academics, behavior and emotional well-being. Following program completion, girls will be strongly encouraged to take part in Girl Power's year-round Sister Circle Mentoring Program as well, to sustain their positive progress.
Benefits of the Program
Girl Power’s Girls Intervention Program PLUS is proven to make a positive impact in girls’ lives. 84% of program participants improve their conflict resolution skills, school engagement, and decrease problem behavior in school and their community. Since 2008 GIPP has served over 400 girls with outstanding results. Documented outcomes over the years exhibit the following:
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98% of girls who started the program completed it;
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99% of girls that completed the program improved their attitudes toward criminal behavior;
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100% of girls enrolled were not re-arrested during the program year;
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85% of girls that completed the program improved their academic skill;
Program participants are able to make these changes because we teach them healthy coping skills and provide emotional support. Their futures are promising because they are supported, cared for, and are capable of reaching their goals. We continue to work with girls because we know their potential, we value them and cherish their thoughts and feelings.