ABOUT PRODIGY®

Prodigy® is a research-based prevention and diversion program for at-risk youth ages 5-18. Prodigy® uses visual and performing arts as a way to help young people develop life skills such as communication, leadership, problem solving, anger management, career aspirations, and goal setting. Each art class is conducted by a professional artist who serves as a mentor and teacher. Through art, young people build self-confidence, learn how to showcase their skills and develop lifelong positive habits for future success.


SUCCESS

According to independent research as well as the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Prodigy® is among the best performing prevention and diversion programs. Over 95% of young people enrolled do not have contact with law enforcement and for those who have committed a minor offense, over 89% do not reoffend. Additionally, Prodigy® offers a cost savings of over 160 million dollars to tax payers in Florida when invested in up front prevention cost to support juveniles (less than $1,600 per youth) versus over $60,000 per youth for incarceration. Prodigy® has been seen as a national model for diversion programming by leading practitioners and researchers for several years. This view is supported by both fiscal and scientific analysis.


STUDENT BEHAVIOR

  • Fidelity of programming is provided through behavior based curriculum and performance measures.
  • Prodigy teaches core self-regulation skills: Anger Management, Problem Solving and Communication.
  • Classes are designed to explore and creatively express thoughts, feelings and values.
  • Research discloses that Prodigy student show:
  1. Improvement in ability to control behavior, affective responsiveness and academic self-efficacy.
  2. Significant decrease in anger, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and somatic problems.
  3. Reduced risk behaviors and mental health symptoms.

 
COST SAVINGS

Current cost analysis shows Prodigy® to be among the lowest cost prevention and diversion programs at an average of $1,577 per student, even when all costs are included.  Prodigy® also saves the state of Florida additional expenses that are often accrued through juvenile crime and delinquency, while decreasing the risk of students going further into the juvenile justice system.