Street gang outreach in the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model occurs inside the framework of a cooperative relationship with other agencies, including probation, law enforcement, social services, and schools. The outreach worker plays a critical role in the community's gang intervention activities and on the intervention team. Roles and responsibilities of outreach workers include: building relationships with clients and other gang members; recruiting gang members to the program; serving as the intervention team's eyes, ears, hands, and feet on the street; linking gang members to necessary services and supporting their participation; providing quality interaction/intervention with gang members; acting as a liaison between project clients and service providers; working with clients on employability skills; recognizing and reinforcing positive behavior; resolving difficulties between clients, their families, other youth, and/or agencies; providing appropriate crisis responses in conjunction with other agencies following a violent incident; assisting families in distress; and documenting their activities. Also described in detail are issues surrounding information sharing; hiring, supervising, and training outreach workers; dealing with the emotional aspects of outreach work; allocating time effectively; documenting outreach work; and safety issues for outreach workers. List of resources, and references
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