NCJ Number
40205
Date Published
1976
Length
49 pages
Annotation
FINAL REPORT ON AN EVALUATION OF A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR ADOLESCENT RUNAWAYS, PARTICULARLY NON-DELINQUENTS, IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Abstract
THE GOALS OF AMICUS HOUSE INCLUDE IMPROVING CLIENTS' SELF-CONCEPT AND IDENTITY, STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY UNIT AND ITS INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION THROUGH COUNSELING, AND EVENTUALLY REUNITING THE CHILD WITH HIS FAMILY. THE EVALUATION OBJECTIVE WAS TO ASSESS THE STATE OF THE PRECIPITANT PROBLEM, TO OBSERVE THE METHODOLOGY, TO COMPARE THE OBJECTIVES WITH THE APPARENT RESULTS, AND TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON ALLEGHENY COUNTY. INTAKE, COUNSELING, AND STAFF DISCUSSIONS WERE OBSERVED AND ASSESSED. INTERVIEWS WITH CLIENTS AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO INTERACT WITH THE PROGRAM ALSO WERE CONDUCTED. SUPPLEMENTING THIS DATA WAS AN EXAMINATION OF RECORDS, STATISTICAL SUMMARIES, AND AN INTERNAL FOLLOW-UP STUDY. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS FROM THE EVALUATION ARE THAT AMICUS HOUSE IS MEETING A CONTINUING NEED IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, AND THAT THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR THE SERVICE PERFORMED. THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM IS THE STAFF TURNOVER AND THE FACT THAT IT IS COMPOSED ENTIRELY OF YOUNG ADULTS. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT A STUDY SHOULD BE MADE OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROGRAM ON CHILDREN AND PARENTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...KAP