KINGSTON, Jamaica – The U.S. Embassy in Kingston is pleased to welcome Dick and Joan DeLaRosa who will visit Jamaica to conduct a three-day program on Violence Prevention in Schools and Communities, Gang Intervention and Suppression Techniques, and the Rehabilitation of Juvenile Offenders.
The goal of the program is to offer alternative solutions and strategies for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, guidance counselors and community-based organizations that work closely with at-risk youth.
The visit of the DeLaRosas is sponsored by the U.S. State Department and is administered by the U.S. Embassy’s Office of Public Affairs under its U.S. Speaker Program.
Dick and Joann DeLaRosa are a husband and wife team, each with over 30 years of experience working with young people in the community and school system.
Dick DeLaRosa
Dick DeLaRosa recently retired from a career of training and administering programs related to at-risk youth, and served as Gang Policy Manager to the City of San Jose’s Mayoral officer during the 1990s. Much of his efforts have focused on empowering youth as well as helping ex-gang members become productive citizens again. DeLaRosa has also developed training curricula for cities throughout the United States with a focus on developing an understanding of the continuum of services for youth: prevention, intervention, suppression, and after-care.
Mrs. DeLaRosa is an educator in the East Side Union High School district in San Jose, California, where she administers the Healthy Start Program, working with students, teachers and parents.
During their stay, the DeLaRosas will conduct a one-day workshop at the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday, February 26 for caregivers at juvenile correctional institutions, community-based organizations and school guidance counselors. They will also conduct sessions with community relations and schools resource officers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and a group of inner-city youth at the YMCA.
