NCJ Number
15623
Date Published
1974
Length
15 pages
Annotation
OPERATION OF A SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL FACILITY FOR FEMALE JUVENILES WHICH PROVIDES OVER-NIGHT SHELTER, TELEPHONE, AND IN-PERSON COUNSELING.
Abstract
A FISCAL REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED AND THE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AND INTERNAL CONTROLS WERE FOUND TO BE ADEQUATE. THE EVALUATION IS AN EXAMINATION AND DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES PROVIDED AND CLIENTELE SERVED AND A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF JUVENILE COURT REFERRALS FOR A SAMPLE OF GIRLS SEEN AT THE FACILITY. IT WAS FOUND THAT SERVICES WERE INCREASINGLY PROVIDED TO THE TARGET POPULATION OF GIRLS IN CRISIS, AS LESS TIME HAD TO BE DEVOTED TO INAPPROPRIATE REQUESTS FOR SERVICE. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM PROVIDED FACILITIES PRIMARILY FOR SHORT TERM STAYS OF LESS THAN A WEEK. IT PROVIDED A SIGNIFICANT PART OF ITS SPACE (NEARLY ONE-FOURTH) TO GIRLS WITH PENDING COURT HEARINGS NEEDING A PLACEMENT ALTERNATIVE. THE PROGRAM WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN EFFECTING A CHANGE IN CRITERIA FOR YOUTHS ADMITTED TO THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. THOUGH THE JUVENILE COURT AGREED TO SEND ELIGIBLE FEMALE JUVENILES WHO WERE ALLEGED IMPACT CRIME OFFENDERS, NONE WERE APPARENTLY REFERRED IN A THREE MONTH PERIOD. REFERRALS FROM THE COURT CONTINUED PRIMARILY TO REPRESENT GIRLS WHO RAN AWAY OR HAD FAMILY CONFLICT SITUATIONS. NO INSTANCES OF ALLEGED IMPACT OFFENDERS WERE DOCUMENTED IN THE RCU FILES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)