1(1)(a) 2It is the finding of the Legislature that the educational and career-related programs of the Department of Juvenile Justice are uniquely different from other programs operated or conducted by other departments in that it is essential to the state that these programs provide juveniles with useful information and activities that can lead to meaningful employment after release in order to assist in reducing the return of juveniles to the system.
72(b) 73It is further the finding of the Legislature that the mission of a juvenile educational and career-related program is, in order of priority:961. 97To provide a joint effort between the department, the juvenile work programs, and educational and career training programs to reinforce relevant education, training, and postrelease job placement, and help reduce recommitment.
1282. 129To serve the security goals of the state through the reduction of idleness of juveniles and the provision of an incentive for good behavior in residential commitment facilities.
1573. 158To teach youth in juvenile justice programs relevant job skills and the fundamentals of a trade in order to prepare them for placement in the workforce.
184(c) 185It is further the finding of the Legislature that a program which duplicates as closely as possible free-work production and service operations in order to aid juveniles in adjustment after release and to prepare juveniles for gainful employment is in the best interest of the state, juveniles, and the general public.
236(2)(a) 237The department is strongly encouraged to require juveniles placed in a high-risk residential, a maximum-risk residential, or a serious/habitual offender program to participate in an educational or career-related program 5 hours per day, 5 days per week. All policies developed by the department relating to this requirement must be consistent with applicable federal, state, and local labor laws and standards, including all laws relating to child labor.
304(b) 305Nothing in this subsection is intended to restore, in whole or in part, the civil rights of any juvenile. No juvenile compensated under this subsection shall be considered as an employee of the state or the department, nor shall such juvenile come within any other provision of the Workers’ Compensation Law.
356(3) 357In adopting or modifying master plans for juvenile work programs and educational and career training programs, and in the administration of the Department of Juvenile Justice, it shall be the objective of the department to develop:393(a) 394Attitudes favorable to work, the work situation, and a law-abiding life in each juvenile employed in the juvenile work program.
414(b) 415Education and training opportunities that are reasonably broad, but which develop specific work skills.
429(c) 430Programs that motivate juveniles to use their abilities.
438(d) 439Education and training programs that will be of mutual benefit to all governmental jurisdictions of the state by reducing the costs of government to the taxpayers and which integrate all instructional programs into a unified curriculum suitable for all juveniles, but taking account of the different abilities of each juvenile.
489(e) 490A logical sequence of educational or career training, employment by the juvenile work programs, and postrelease job placement for juveniles participating in juvenile work programs.
515(4)(a) 516The Department of Juvenile Justice shall establish guidelines for the operation of juvenile educational and career-related programs, which shall include the following procedures:5391. 540Participation in the educational and career-related programs shall be on a 5-day-per-week, 5-hour-per-day basis.
5542. 555The education, training, work experience, emotional and mental abilities, and physical capabilities of the juvenile and the duration of the term of placement imposed on the juvenile are to be analyzed before assignment of the juvenile into the various processes best suited for educational or career training.
6023. 603When feasible, the department shall attempt to obtain education or training credit for a juvenile seeking apprenticeship status or a high school diploma or its equivalent.
6294. 630The juvenile may begin in a general education and work skills program and progress to a specific work skills training program, depending upon the ability, desire, and education and work record of the juvenile.
6645. 665Modernization and upgrading of equipment and facilities should include greater automation and improved production techniques to expose juveniles to the latest technological procedures to facilitate their adjustment to real work situations.
696(b) 697Evaluations of juvenile educational and career-related programs shall be conducted according to the following guidelines:7121. 713Systematic evaluations and quality assurance monitoring shall be implemented, in accordance with s. 726985.632(1), 727(2), and (5), to determine whether the programs are related to successful postrelease adjustments. 7412. 742Operations and policies of the programs shall be reevaluated to determine if they are consistent with their primary objectives.
761(c) 762The department shall seek the advice of private labor and management to:7741. 775Assist its work programs in the development of statewide policies aimed at innovation and organizational change.
7912. 792Obtain technical and practical assistance, information, and guidance.
8003. 801Encourage the cooperation and involvement of the private sector.
8104. 811Assist in the placement of youth into meaningful jobs upon release from the residential program.
826(d) 827The department and providers are strongly encouraged to work in partnership with local businesses and trade groups in the development and operation of educational and career programs.
854(5)(a) 855The Department of Juvenile Justice may adopt and put into effect an agricultural and industrial production and marketing program to provide training facilities for persons placed in serious/habitual offender, high-risk residential, and maximum-risk residential programs and facilities under the control and supervision of the department. The emphasis of this program shall be to provide juveniles with useful work experience and appropriate job skills that will facilitate their reentry into society and provide an economic benefit to the public and the department through effective utilization of juveniles.
941(b) 942The department is authorized to contract with the private sector for substantial involvement in a juvenile industry program which includes the operation of a direct private sector business within a juvenile facility and the hiring of juvenile workers. The purposes and objectives of this program shall be to:9901. 991Increase benefits to the general public by reimbursement to the state for a portion of the costs of juvenile residential care.
10122. 1013Provide purposeful work for juveniles as a means of reducing tensions caused by confinement.
10273. 1028Increase job skills.
10314. 1032Provide additional opportunities for rehabilitation of juveniles who are otherwise ineligible to work outside the facilities, such as maximum security juveniles.
10535. 1054Develop and establish new models for juvenile facility-based businesses which create jobs approximating conditions of private sector employment.
10726. 1073Draw upon the economic base of operations for disposition to the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund.
10887. 1089Substantially involve the private sector with its capital, management skills, and expertise in the design, development, and operation of businesses.
1109(c) 1110Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, including s. 1119440.15(8), 1120private sector employers shall provide juveniles participating in juvenile work programs under paragraph (b) with workers’ compensation coverage, and juveniles shall be entitled to the benefits of such coverage. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to allow juveniles to participate in reemployment assistance benefits. 1165(6) 1166The department, working with providers, shall inventory juvenile vocational and work training programs in use in commitment programs across the state. The inventory shall list the commitment program, the type of vocational or work program offered, the relevant job skills provided, and which programs work with the trades industry to place youth in jobs upon release.
