Mentoring program

Focus Forward’s mentoring program provides mentors year round to meet with youth weekly during their incarceration at the Juvenile Justice Campus and biweekly in the community during their reentry. The mentor's role is to be a trusted adult who is both a role model for the youth and a resource to navigate their journey through the juvenile justice system.

Focus Forward is now providing school-based mentoring with the Parlier Unified School District. Mentors meet with students who need additional support as they navigate difficult challenges.

Bright Futures

In partnership with First 5 Fresno County and Fresno County Probation, the Focus Forward Bright Futures program provides case management and parenting services to teen parents while in custody at the Juvenile Justice Campus and after their release. Additionally, parents of non-parenting teens with current or former justice involvement can enroll in this program if there is a child under 6 in their care.  

rE-ENTRY Programs

In partnership with the Fresno County Probation Department, Focus Forward coordinates wrap around reentry services to youth and their families in an effort to reduce recidivism among youth committed to the Juvenile Justice Campus. Key areas supported are Education, Life Skills, Mental/Behavioral Health, Workforce, Safety and Relationships.

In partnership with Fresno County Probation, Focus Forward Placement Social Workers coordinate and facilitate Child Family Team (CFT) meetings for youth in placement (part of both the juvenile justice and foster care system). CFTs bring together youth, families and caring professionals to develop a plan for the youth’s safety, permanency, and well-being.

pipeline to opportunity

Supported by the California Wellness Foundation, the Pipeline to Opportunity launched in 2020 to provide post-secondary educational support to both youth while in-custody and post release to strengthen the pipeline from juvenile justice involvement and higher education at Fresno City College.

Foster Youth Supervision

In partnership with the Fresno County Department of Social Services, Focus Forward provides after-hours and weekend supervision for foster youth while they await placement with a foster family or Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program.