Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2024, $500,000)
The Texas Cops and Communities Mentoring program uniquely addresses the needs of 150 justice-involved youth by utilizing a Positive Youth Justice framework with the following strategies: individual, agency, and systems-level intervention; credible messenger mentoring; a peer-developed curriculum known as the S.W.A.G curriculum (Strengths, Wellness, Advocacy, and Goals; a credible messenger sports league; and (5) "Knowledge is Power" Forum sessions with youth, family, and stakeholders. With 10 new signed memoranda of understanding, Texas Cops and Communities Mentoring will build a coordinated model of serving justice-involved youth through alternative community-based programs. In partnership with Credible Messengers United and in collaboration with youth, families, police, Fort Bend County Probation Department, and stakeholders, the Texas Cops and Communities Mentoring program will develop systemwide solutions to increase youth access to services and enhance public safety in Fort Bend County, Texas.