NCJ Number
38944
Date Published
1976
Length
28 pages
Annotation
EXAMINATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION, OPERATION, AND IMPACT OF THIS PROJECT DESIGNED TO PREVENT DELINQUENCY AMONG FATHERLESS BOYS THROUGH ASSOCIATION WITH A VOLUNTEER WHO WOULD PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE FRIENDSHIP TO THE YOUTH.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE PRECISE NUMBER OF PROPOSED INDIVIDUALS TO BE SERVED WAS UNCLEAR, THE PROJECT DID MATCH A TOTAL OF 69 YOUTHS WITH VOLUNTEER BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS. A REVIEW OF FAMILY COURT RECORDS INDICATED THAT OF THE 69 YOUTHS ASSIGNED, ONLY 2 HAD ANY CONTACT WITH THE COURT EITHER DURING OR AFTER ASSIGNMENT. VOLUNTEERS, PROFESSIONAL STAFF, PARENTS, AND OTHER SOURCES INDICATED THAT 98 PERCENT OF THE YOUTHS WHO HAD BEEN IN THE PROGRAM LONG ENOUGH TO EVALUATE HAD EXHIBITED AT LEAST SOME IMPROVEMENT IN SPECIFIC PROBLEM AREAS. PERSONS WHO HAD REFERRED YOUTHS TO THE PROJECT ALL INDICATED SATISFACTION WITH THE SERVICE WHEN A MATCH WAS MADE, BUT CITED A PROBLEM IN THAT VOLUNTEERS WERE NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR ASSIGNMENT. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE BIG BROTHERS PROJECT MAY WELL BE CONSIDERED A DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROJECT, AND IT BASICALLY ACCOMPLISHED WHAT IT PROPOSED, IT HAD VERY LITTLE DIRECT RELATIONSHIP TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO REFERRAL CRITERIA RELATING TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND VERY FEW DIRECT REFERRALS FROM POLICE, FAMILY COURT, OR JUVENILE CORRECTIONS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE FUNDING OF DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROJECTS ARE INCLUDED....ELW