Tulare County Office of Education

Due to the overwhelming success of Friday Night Live, a middle/junior high school component was developed in 1988 by the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE). By 1991, this component had been expanded statewide by ADP and named Club Live (CL). In 1990, TCOE developed the Friday Night Live Kids (FNLK) Program, which focuses on youth in grades 4-6. By 1994, 48 counties were implementing either CL, FNLK, or both. The chapter locations had also broadened from school campus-based programs to recreation facilities, housing projects, youth centers, and youth in detention centers, reaching nearly one million youth throughout California. In March of 1996, ADP, through the request for proposals bid process, formed the California Friday Night Live Partnership(CFNLP) to assume the responsibility of providing leadership and field support to FNL, CL, and FNLK programs in counties throughout the state. In 1998, the partnership began a pilot process for FNL Mentoring (FNLM). The five original counties had great success and within two years had developed the FNL Mentoring Model. The FNL, CL, and FNL Kids programs are continually evolving and adapting to the latest trends and issues affecting youth, responding to current prevention and youth development research, and addressing the unique needs of each community served. Membership reflects the diversity of California's population and the program has been implemented in nearly all of California's 58 counties. The primary focus of the FNL, CL, FNLK, and FNL Mentoring programs is to form youth-adult partnerships with young people, to provide programs rich in opportunities and support, so young people will be less likely to engage in problem behaviors, more likely to achieve in school, and more likely to attend higher education or secure a full-time job. FNL's vision is to work hand-in-hand with young people so they are both problem free and fully prepared.