NCJ Number
200922
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2003 Pages: 341-350
Editor(s)
Kent B. Joscelyn
Date Published
July 2003
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article describes and presents an evaluation of the Ada Sheriffs Youth Foundation (SYF), a youth crime prevention program that includes early intervention action (EIA) teams and offers after-school enrichment activities.
Abstract
The Ada Sheriffs’ Youth Foundation (SYF) is a youth crime prevention program that includes early intervention action (EIA) teams and identifies at-risk youth in an elementary school setting, providing them with a protective factor. The SYF coordinates the activities of the school-based EIA teams, who then carry the responsibility for placing troubled youth with after-school or weekend programs of the youth’s choice. EIA teams include the school’s principal, teachers, social workers, school resource officers, and interested parents and organizations. A preliminary assessment of the program’s success was conducted by using data collected by the EIA teams in three schools: Jefferson, Madison, and Meridian. The program’s measurement of risk was modeled after the Safe Policy Program in Lewiston, Washington. As measured by before and after risk scores, program effects are generally positive. This preliminary assessment indicates promise for future crime prevention efforts by local school and community-based organizations. There are several important considerations discussed: (1) the evaluation carried out is not as strong as it should be; (2) there was difficulty in interpreting changes in some risk categories; and (3) there were concerns over evaluator reliability. The program presents a creative way to deliver community-based volunteer after-school services. Appendix and references