NCJ Number
15568
Date Published
1973
Length
165 pages
Annotation
REVIEW OF A PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDED DIRECT COUNSELING AND TREATMENT SERVICES TO TROUBLED YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Abstract
THIS PROGRAM WAS FUNDED AS A PROGRAM TO PREVENT DELINQUENCY, DIVERT YOUTH FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND PROVIDE TREATMENT SERVICES TO YOUTH IN TROUBLE. THE TARGET POPULATION WAS THE 12 TO 24 AGE GROUP IN THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES OF GLENDALE, LA CANADA, LA CRESCENTA, FLINTRIDGE, VERDUGO CITY, AND MONTROSE. PROGRAM COMPONENTS INCLUDED A RAP ROOM IN LA CANADA HIGH SCHOOL, AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM, A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR YOUTH IN TROUBLE AND A MINI-BIKE PROGRAM FOR YOUTH HAVING DIFFICULTY IN SCHOOL OR SHOWING SIGNS OF PRE-DELINQUENCY. TREATMENT SERVICES WERE EVALUATED FROM DATA ON THE TESTING OF OUTREACH CLIENTS, CASE STUDIES, AND STATISTICAL DATA ON NUMBERS OF CLIENTS, AND CLIENT VISITS. THE MAJOR CRITICISM OF THE PROGRAM WAS THAT IT WAS NOT WELL PLANNED. STAFF MEMBERS WERE ADDED HAPHAZARDLY, AND THERE WAS A HIGH DEGREE OF STAFF TURNOVER. FUNDING CRISES AND CONTINUAL DIRECTOR TURNOVER WERE MAJOR PROGRAM CRISES. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRES AND BEHAVIOR RATING TESTS USED IN THE PROGRAM. LOS ANGELES