Telement is the telehealth provider for schools and nonprofits. Known across Florida for our work with youth, we team up with nonprofits to provide a safe environment for youth to receive professional mental health support. We are proud to offer virtual mental health services to nonprofits in Florida with the goal of reducing barriers and increasing youth access, and we are excited to be teaming up with Sarasota Teen Court.
Introducing Teen Court of Sarasota
Modeled after an innovative youth jury program in Texas, Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc. was incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) in 1988, and it is among the first of its kind in Florida. The nonprofit provides youth development activities for at-risk students between the ages of 8 to 18. Their goal is to help kids in crisis develop into contributing community members, with a fresh start and a chance at healthy relationships with disciplinarians and peers. This Teen Court has been copied in 52 other Florida counties, many of which based their programs on the Sarasota model.
Through youth advocacy, Teen Court aims to make the Sarasota community safer by reducing juvenile delinquency. The nonprofit focuses on activities specifically tailored to the needs of youth in the area, including programs such as peer counseling and Camp X-RAYD, a camp to help kids understand the negative effects of drugs and alcohol. Through referrals from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Court, Traffic Court, area schools, and parents, Teen Court is able to meet with and engage at-risk young people throughout the community. The program provides a way for youth to become active participants in their community and positive contributors to change in their own lives moving forward. Each kid deserves a second chance, and that’s the focus of this organization.
Telement and Teen Court: A Natural Fit
Mental health challenges are common among at-risk youth and youth mental health struggles have heightened significantly since the start of the pandemic. Another problem brought to light during the COVID pandemic, particularly with the shelter in place order, is the need for teletherapy. However, the ability to virtually provide therapeutic services and counseling is not just important for pandemics because many youth struggle with transportation and access to mental health services regardless of worldwide events. Working with Teen Court of Sarasota, Telement is able to provide individual therapy, group therapy, and counseling for students and kids in at-risk situations.
The services Telement provides to Teen Court are all virtual and non-mandatory. Telement receives referrals from Teen Court caseworkers to assist students who would benefit from our technology and our services. Teletherapy with Telement fills a unique need in the Florida community, allowing at-risk youth who are struggling with mental health to reach a therapist that can provide support from anywhere. Approximately 20 Teen Court Students received Telement teletherapy services since 2021.
According to the US Department of Justice, juvenile arrest rates have been decreasing for the last few years, and many attribute programs like Teen Court of Sarasota to the decline. The nonprofit provides essential services to kids in need, and we are proud to partner with them to help supplement those services. To learn more about Telement’s teletherapy work with nonprofits, click the link. To learn more about Teen Court and how you can get involved, see their website. To get involved with Telement for your youth-based organization, visit us here.
