Twin Oaks Juvenile Development, Inc. recognizes Faith as being one of the core values essential to the Twin Oaks Model and is committed to providing faith-based opportunities to every youth in our care. TOJD believes that moral teachings and guidance is essential to the spiritual health of the youth we serve and will make diligent efforts to provide religious services that encompass all faiths. Youth participation shall always be voluntary, youth shall never be required or forced to participate in any religious activity. Twin Oaks Juvenile Development, Inc. encompasses the Faith Community Network, Faith Community Liaison, Chaplaincy Services and Project Connect as part of a strategy that ensures faith-based services and opportunities are available to every youth we serve.
Faith Community Network: Twin Oaks Juvenile Development, Inc. supports and is proud to be part of the Faith Community Network. The Faith Community Network (FCN) is a partnership between the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and leaders of faith and community-based organizations. The mission of the Faith Community Network is to provide a full range of programs and services that prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency in partnership with community based programs. The priority is to establish a comprehensive partnership with faith and community based organizations in each judicial circuit in order to create a statewide network that identifies organizations that have committed themselves to this partnership and to indentify the specific services available through those organizations. Ultimately, the Faith Community Network will maintain a resource guide on all involved organizations for the purpose of improved communication and coordination regarding the availability and use of services across the state. The involvement of faith partners can provide the basis of programs and services for youth and their families in their community. Faith Community partners may offer faith - based programs and services including worship services, bible studies and other such activities. The Faith Community Network can be a conduit for connecting faith -based community services to youth who request services and assistance.
Faith Community Liaison: Twin Oaks Juvenile Development, Inc. is committed to working directly with the Faith Community Network and therefore has appointed a Faith Community Liaison. The Faith Community Liaison participates in monthly Faith Community Network conference calls, attends Faith Forums across the state and is involved with local circuit steering committees. The Faith Community Liaison also works directly with program directors and chaplains at each residential program to ensure faith-based services, programs and resources are available. The Faith Community Liaison establishes a positive, proactive relationship with faith leaders in the community and encourages their support and involvement with the youth in each program. Faith community leaders may provide faith based opportunities such as church services, bible studies, mentorship, etc. The Faith Community Liaison also works with national agencies such as Sports World Ministries. Sports World Ministries uses former professional athletes to share personal life experiences with youth, helping them to recognize the consequences of their choices while challenging them with the Message of Hope.
Chaplaincy Services: The vision of the Chaplaincy Services program is to ensure that youth and their families have access to chaplaincy services during times of family crisis. The priority for Twin Oaks is to establish and maintain chaplaincy services in each of its programs. Chaplains assist in meeting the religious needs and requirements of a youth's chosen faith and are available to youth and their families if desired. Chaplains provide such resources as pastoral care, pastoral counseling and emotional support during times of crisis. Chaplains can determine needs and gaps in faith based services and recruit accordingly. Chaplains at each program would also communicate directly with the Faith Community Liaison to coordinate any additional resources needed. All chaplains shall undergo a background screening a pursuant to s. 435.05, Florida Statues. All chaplains shall also receive Volunteer Chaplaincy Services training.
