Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Pilot to Waive Fees for Delinquents Has Low Enrollment and Is Not Teaching Intended Skills

Report 08-58, October 2008

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Report Summary

  • As directed by the Legislature, the Department of Juvenile Justice established a pilot program in the 4th and 11th judicial circuits to waive parental fees for department supervision of delinquent youth if parents complete a designated parenting class. Because the pilot was not appropriated funding, DJJ selected vendors that already were operating classes with funding from other sources and were willing to include parents from the pilot at no cost to the parents or the department.
  • However, rather than teaching skills for parenting delinquents, as the Legislature intended, one course focuses on relationships and the other on marriage. Enrollment is low and there is little evidence that participation reduces recidivism of participants' children.
  • The pilot is scheduled to end in June 2009. If the Legislature wishes to continue the program, we recommend that it direct DJJ to implement an evidence-based program that teaches specific skills for parenting delinquents and charge parents to participate, as authorized by law.

Related Reports
  1. Pilot to Waive Fees for Parents of Delinquents Should Focus More on Parenting Skill
    Report 07-34 August 2007
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
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