Background for At-risk & Adjudicated Youth

• Forty to fifty percent of youth involved with the juvenile justice system have one or more mental disorders.


• Twenty percent have a severe mental disorder.


• Girls constitute a smaller number of adjudicated offenders but present a more diagnostically serious picture. Over 92% have been victims of one form of abuse and 82% suffer from one or more mental disorders.




Research Findings


Prodigy participants experienced a significant decrease in anger, depression/anxiety, and sleep disturbances for both boys and girls.

Girls started Prodigy more depressed than boys and experienced a larger reduction in depression after Prodigy.

Parents reported a significant reduction in their children's rule-breaking, aggression, and attention problems after completing Prodigy.

After attending Prodigy youth showed improved understanding of the value of education. This is a predictor of increased academic performance.

Prodigy participants significantly improved the ability to control their behavior after completing the program.

Whether diversion or community youth, young people enjoy the Prodigy workshops and classes. This enjoyment in the program helps facilitate successful program completion.