NCJ Number
174344
Date Published
1997
Length
61 pages
Annotation
This monograph explains the Teens, Crime, and the Community (TCC) program for engaging youth in education and action and presents a framework for implementing TCC in community-based settings.
Abstract
TCC was created in 1985 by the National Crime Prevention Council and Street Law, Inc. (formerly the National Institute for Citizen Education in the Law). TCC increases youth knowledge about crime, victimization, and crime prevention and helps them bond to their community and school through meaningful service. It includes curriculum and service learning projects to teach young people ways for protecting themselves from crime and to provide opportunities to develop safer, more vital communities. TCC has been successfully implemented in schools, primarily middle and high schools; juvenile justice facilities; and community-based program settings. Program leaders and other community members should consider several questions to determine whether TCC is the appropriate program to address the particular concerns and needs of the community. The three central elements needed for a successful TCC program include the development of cooperative learning skills, the involvement of community resource people, and youth leadership in action projects. Obstacles to consider include garnering community support, identifying funding, maintaining program purpose and population, recruiting and keeping youth involved, and parental involvement. List of TCC programs, appended contents of program manual and recommendations from Las Vegas evaluation, and reference notes