Street Outreach and the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model

• NCJ Number: 239076
• Author(s): Michelle Arciaga; Victor Gonzalez
• Date Published: June 2012
• Length: 10 pages
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored; BJA-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

This bulletin provides an overview of best practices developed for street outreach in the context of the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model.

Abstract

Street gang outreach in the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model occurs inside the framework of a cooperative relationship with other agencies, including probation, law enforcement, social services, and schools. The outreach worker plays a critical role in the community's gang intervention activities and on the intervention team. Roles and responsibilities of outreach workers include: building relationships with clients and other gang members; recruiting gang members to the program; serving as the intervention team's eyes, ears, hands, and feet on the street; linking gang members to necessary services and supporting their participation; providing quality interaction/intervention with gang members; acting as a liaison between project clients and service providers; working with clients on employability skills; recognizing and reinforcing positive behavior; resolving difficulties between clients, their families, other youth, and/or agencies; providing appropriate crisis responses in conjunction with other agencies following a violent incident; assisting families in distress; and documenting their activities. Also described in detail are issues surrounding information sharing; hiring, supervising, and training outreach workers; dealing with the emotional aspects of outreach work; allocating time effectively; documenting outreach work; and safety issues for outreach workers. List of resources, and references