NCJ Number
172266
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper proposes the establishment of a private-sector American Youth Association (AYA), which will provide authorities with alternatives to available options for neglected and problematic youth by reinforcing families where feasible, providing safe and educational supervision during nonschool hours, and mitigating the conditions that result in out-of-home placements.
Abstract
AYA will work to strengthen existing community programs and propagate the initiatives required to address current concerns. It will provide comprehensive assessment and training programs and will be goal-oriented as well as results driven. AYA will publicly advocate for justice and safety for children. Activities will focus on teamwork, character development, skills building, and citizenship. Follow-up support, including continuous case management, employment services, and housing, will ensure successful outcomes. AYA would be composed of teams of age-ranked youth and adult facilitators in a variety of community-based training facilities. Youth ages 13-20 from court diversion programs, under supervision, or serving a sentence would join others from low-income and/or single-parent families in a voluntary association. Blending at-risk youth with delinquents limits negative labeling and creates a positive socialization experience. Adults who are paid in part with commission based on the youth's hours of participation and enabled with financial resources will aggressively reinforce the positive orientation. Jurisdictions will save money by paying reduced contract costs for the care of youth and by postponing the need for some prison construction. To be effective, the AYA must improve communication between social service agencies, the courts, police, schools, and business. This will reduce the expense of needless delay, duplication, and inconsistencies.