HAWAII - FAMILY COURT - 1ST CIRCUIT - INTENSIVE INTERVENTION PROJECT - EVALUATION, 1ST YEAR, NOVEMBER 1, 1972 - OCTOBER 31, 1973

• NCJ Number: 26164
• Author(s): J LIND
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 54 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Hawaii State Law Enforcement and Juvenile Delinquency Planning Agency
• Corporate Author: Hawaii Family Court
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PROJECT DESIGNED TO PERMANENTLY DIVERT CHILDREN FROM THE COURT SYSTEM WHO ARE REFERRED FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR BEHAVIORS RELATED TO RUNAWAY, INCORRIGIBILITY, CHILDREN IN NEED OF SUPERVISION, AND THE FIRST-TIME LAW VIOLATORS.

Abstract

THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT, WITH INTENSIVE INTERVENTION COUNSELING, YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE BECOME KNOWN TO THE COURT FOR THE FIRST TIME CAN RECEIVE HELP THAT WILL EVENTUALLY PREVENT FURTHER COURT INVOLVEMENT AND DIVERT THEM FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. STAFF QUESTIONNAIRES ON EACH OF 69 YOUNGSTERS AND FOLLOW-UP TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH YOUNGSTERS AND PARENTS WERE USED TO EVALUATE THIS PROGRAM. EVALUATORS FOUND A 23 PER CENT RECIDIVISM RATE AMONG FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM AND A 45 PER CENT RECIDIVISM RATE AMONG THOSE YOUNGSTERS ALREADY KNOWN TO THE COURT. A SIMILAR NUMBER OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN INDICATED THAT THEY HAD FOUND THE COUNSELING HELPFUL. HOWEVER, TWENTY FAMILIES (AS COMPARED TO ELEVEN YOUNGSTERS) INDICATED THAT THEIR CHILD HAD CONTINUED TO GIVE THEM THE TYPE OF PROBLEM THEY HAD COME COME TO THE COURT TO HANDLE. A TYPICAL CASE STUDY IS INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT. AN ASSESSMENT OF PROJECT SERVICES IN 1974-75 IS ALSO ATTACHED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)