Assessing, advocating and supporting pre- and post-adjudicated youth in partnership with the Dallas County Juvenile Department
Preventing, identifying and supporting youth with a history of childhood trauma vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking
1
Every POETIC girl is paired with a licensed therapist trained in trauma and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and a clinical case worker. They participate in individual, group therapy and multi-family DBT therapy with their parents or guardians – all at no cost. Our support team is available 24/7.
2
Through art therapy, POETIC girls have the opportunity to explore their emotions and express themselves through creative mediums. This immersion in creativity builds self-identity, self-value and self-love.
3
A lack of financial means is the No. 1 lure back into a life of exploitation. POETIC Design Co. empowers girls to find their unique career paths through paid internships, job opportunities and financial literacy courses, helping them to develop the skills to make informed decisions for the future.
4
The teachers in our on-site homeschool provide individualized education for girls to earn a high school diploma or GED. For those attending public school, POETIC provides educational advocacy to ensure their needs are properly assessed and accommodations are provided.
5
Our clinical case managers offer guidance in applying for government IDs, enrolling in health insurance, accessing medical professionals, creating a resume and learning job interview skills. We also provide court advocacy and mentorship so youth can move forward to an empowered future.
Our longitudinal research shows that
Research indicates that having 4 or more (out of 10) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) leads to negative health outcomes and can reduce your life expectancy by 20 years.
Nationally, girls with a history of sexual abuse are 5 times more likely to go back into the juvenile justice system.
Instead, they are supported in our Trauma Therapy Center, completing their education and building a career path that aligns with their unique skills and interests.
Of those enrolled in our Design Co. (paid internship at POETIC), 100% opened up a bank account and decreased debt, while 60% increased their savings.
Our model, rooted in evidence-based therapy that directly addresses emotion regulation, self-harm and suicide, shows that girls at POETIC are building a life beyond surviving. They are building a life worth living.
