The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Avon Park Youth Academy (APYA) and the STREET Smart program (SS) was successful in delivery of vocational training and job placement services. There was also evidence that the program had a positive impact on educational achievement. APYA participants were significantly more likely than controls to receive a high school level diploma while in secure care as well as within 3 years of community release. The evaluation of APYA/SS demonstrates that it has the potential to join the modest but growing list of evidence-based practices in juvenile corrections. However, to fully achieve the status of evidence-based practice, program modifications and additional research may be needed for APYA/SS. The APYA is a secure custody residential facility providing specialized, remedial education and intensive vocational training to moderate risk youth committed to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. SS was the reentry component of the program which provided community support and educational and vocational services to APYA participants after their release to the community. With support from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) conducted an evaluation of the APYA/SS. This report presents the findings from the evaluation. Exhibits, figures, tables, references, and appendixes A-G
In Search of Evidence-Based Practice in Juvenile Corrections: An Evaluation of Florida's Avon Park Youth Academy and STREET Smart Program
NCJ Number
228804
Date Published
September 2009
Length
240 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency's (NCCD's) evaluation of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Avon Park Youth Academy and the STREET Smart program.
Abstract
Date Published: September 1, 2009