NCJ Number
59471
Date Published
1978
Length
33 pages
Annotation
THE FIRST-YEAR PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, AND EFFORTS OF THE TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM STAFF TO REDUCE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN SELECTED ALABAMA COMMUNITIES ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
Abstract
THE AIM OF THE YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM IS TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS FOR RURAL YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 9 AND 18 AND THEIR PARENTS. PARTICIPANTS SELECTED WERE FROM THE HIGH RISK JUVENILE CRIME COMMUNITIES OF BULLOCK, LOWNDES, MACON, AND RUSSELL COUNTIES IN ALABAMA. FUNDED BY LEAA IN JULY 1977 ($431,413 FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION), THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ACADEMIC AND REMEDIAL EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL AND CAREER EDUCATION AND AWARENESS, CULTURAL EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT, FAMILY AND YOUTH COUNSELING, ARTS AND CRAFTS, PARENT INVOLVEMENT, CITIZEN EDUCATION AND AWARENESS, COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS, AND SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THE MAIN PROGRAM OBJECTIVES DISCUSSED IN THE REPORT ILLUSTRATE THE BROAD SCOPE AND DETAILS OF THE PROJECT. EACH TARGET COMMUNITY WAS GIVEN A WIDE RANGE OF TRAINING PROGRAMS AND MATERIALS. YOUTH WERE TUTORED IN ENGLISH, READING, AND MATHEMATICS, AND THE RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS ORGANIZED RESULTED IN 1,200 TO 1,600 YOUTH JOINING YOUTH CLUBS. COUNSELING HELPED MANY OF THE FAMILIES TO RESOLVE CRISIS SITUATIONS AND LONG-TERM PROBLEMS, AND FIELD TRIPS EXPOSED YOUTH TO VARIOUS CAREER CHOICES PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TO THEM. A JOB BANK WAS ORGANIZED TO HELP ARRANGE EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUTH, BUT MORE EFFORT WILL BE NEEDED IN THIS AREA. EACH TARGET COMMUNITY ORGANIZED DRAMA GROUPS AND WORKSHOPS IN PLAY PRODUCTION. BY DISCUSSIONS IN PARENT CLUBS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS WERE ASSISTED IN FINDING POSITIVE WAYS OF RELATING TO THEIR CHILDREN. CITIZENS WERE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT ACTIVITIES AS VOLUNTEERS AND ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS. SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS WERE OFFERED TO IMPROVE THE PROGRAM INCLUDING AN INCREASE IN AVAILABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR COMMUNITY STAFF, HIRING MORE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, AND HIRING A COORDINATOR FOR CULTURAL ENRICHMENT AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS. CHARTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND AN APPENDIX ARE INCLUDED.