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EVALUATING COMMUNITY SERVICE DELIVERY TO OFFENDERS

NCJ Number
54723
Author(s)
K J KLIMUSKO; A M SCILLIA; R C FORD
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM FOR THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN ILLINOIS IS PRESENTED, AND THE USE OF A DATA MANAGEMENT METHOD TO IDENTIFY HIGH-RISK CLIENTS IS NOTED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO YOUTHFUL AND ADULT OFFENDERS. THE 16TH CIRCUIT INCLUDES THREE COUNTIES THAT REPRESENT A DIVERSE CROSS-SECTION OF URBAN, SUBURBAN, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. PARTICIPANTS FOR THE PROGRAM ARE REFERRED BY MULTIPLE PROCESSES FROM LOCAL AND STATE AGENCIES, INCLUDING BAIL BOND HEARINGS, PUBLIC DEFENDERS/PROSECUTORS/PRIVATE ATTORNEYS, THE POLICE, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY RESIDENTS, PROBATION, PAROLE, WALK-IN, AND OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES. ONCE A REFERRAL HAS BEEN MADE AND AN INTAKE INTERVIEW HAS BEEN ARRANGED, THE FOLLOWING THREE INTAKE PROCESSES ENSUE: (1) INTAKE INTERVIEW (ORIENTATION TO THE PROGRAM, CLIENT IMMEDIATE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, EMPLOYMENT HISTORY, EDUCATIONAL HISTORY, CRIMINAL HISTORY, REVIEW OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND DETERMINATION OF COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT (CETA) ELIGIBILITY); (2) CASE FILE BUILDING (INTERVIEW RESULTS, WRITTEN VERIFICATIONS, CETA DATA, AND REFERRAL SOURCE DATA); AND (3) STAFFING (REVIEW MATERIAL IN FILE, VENDORIZE TO A MORE APPROPRIATE AGENCY, AND ACCEPT AND TRANSFER TO SERVICES UNIT). THE SERVICE DELIVERY PROCESS IS A COMBINATION OF REALITY-ORIENTED TECHNIQUES, AS WELL AS SKILLS DELIVERY. IT INVOLVES ORIENTATION, TEST INTERPRETATION, VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE, PARTICIPANT PLANNING, JOB-SEEKING SKILLS DELIVERY, BUDGETING, JOB DEVELOPMENT AND PLACEMENT, AND FOLLOWUP OR RETENTION COUNSELING. PHASES OF THE SERVICE DELIVERY PROCESS ENCOMPASS SELF-EXPLORATION, CAREER EXPLORATION, AND EMPLOYMENT. CETA FUNDING IS OFTEN UTILIZED TO PROVIDE FOR THE TUITION, FEES, AND STIPENDS OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. AFTER COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN SECURED, FOLLOWUP OF CLIENTS IS A SIGNIFICANT ASPECT OF THE PROGRAM. USING A MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM, FOLLOWUP DATA ARE COLLECTED AT 30, 90, 180, AND 365 DAYS FOLLOWING DATE OF EMPLOYMENT. INFORMATION RECORDED IN THE FOLLOWUP PROCESS INCLUDES PLACE OF RESIDENCE, EMPLOYMENT STATUS, PUBLIC AID STATUS, AND METHOD OF CONTACT. THE APPLICATION OF TERMINATION AND FOLLOWUP STATISTICS TO MONITOR PROGRAM SERVICE DELIVERY AND HIGH-RISK VARIABLES AMONG 290 CLIENTS SERVED DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM OPERATION ARE DETAILED.