Our gender-specific training programs recognize the risk factors most likely to impact the targeted gender group and the protective factors that can build resiliency and prevent delinquency. Our programs incorporate promising practices meant to help girls get back on a positive development track and avoid future delinquent behavior.
A funding collaborative by the FISA Foundation and The Grable Foundation has enabled Gwen's Girls to begin the development of a gender-specific Training Department. The purpose of this department is threefold:
- To develop a thorough and uniform training program for new staff as we continue to expand. In order for the programs we have developed over the years to become truly effective, this intentionally gender-responsive approach cannot be done piecemeal by different organizations that may end up performing different parts of the training. A comprehensive, gender-specific approach must be incorporated into ALL services and trainings. No other organization has the ability to infuse this philosophy into training.
- To continue our cutting-edge approach with continued research and best practices updates for current and new programs and services. New research is constantly being done in this emerging field. To remain a pioneer in this endeavor, it is vital that we remain abreast of all pertinent findings and best practices for gender-specific programs and services. This will ensure optimum programming and continued quality improvement. We also want to expand our research to include girls' experiences of abuse, neglect, etc. so that we can incorporate a trauma-informed approach when needed.
- To develop external curriculum models and prevention packages to be marketed to other agencies and organizations. We want to become a premier external provider and resource for gender- specific/responsive services in the state and nationally. There is a need for service providers who specialize in this area, and we want to impart what we have learned to other agencies and organizations at the local, county, state and national levels.
