NCJ Number
185594
Date Published
November 2000
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This two-part video of a live national satellite broadcast portrays a panel presentation and phone-in questions that pertain to the prevalence and causes of child (under 12 years old) delinquency as well as early intervention measures.
Abstract
The video first presents a clip that provides an overview of the problem of early childhood delinquency. It notes that the percentage of young children who engage in delinquent behavior is increasing, and such children are at greatest risk of becoming chronic adolescent delinquents and adult criminals. The video then presents the panel for the teleconference. It is composed of Leena Augimeri, a representative of the Earlscourt Child and Family Centre of Toronto Canada; Kate Keenan of the University of Chicago's Department of Psychiatry; Rolf Loeber of the Life History Studies Program; Howard Snyder, Director of Systems Research of the National Center for Juvenile Justice; Carolyn Webster-Stratton, director of the Parenting Clinic of the University of Washington School of Nursing; and John Wilson, acting administrator of the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Some of the panel members summarize the findings of a study group that focused on the prevalence and causes of early childhood delinquency. This group found that delinquency in this age group is increasing, and the causes are cumulative. There is no one cause of early delinquency; rather, there are multiple causes that are linked to the community and family influences generally found in high-crime communities. The presentation then turns to the description of two intervention programs designed for children at risk of delinquency. The Incredible Years Training Series is profiled in a video clip. This training program uses group discussion, videotape modeling, and rehearsal intervention techniques to assist adults living and working with children ages 2 to 10. The series is designed to prevent, reduce, and treat conduct problems among these children and to increase their social competence. The second intervention program described is Toronto's (Canada) Earlscourt Child and Family Centre, which has developed the Under 12 Outreach Project. This program was launched in 1985 in conjunction with the Toronto Police Service to provide services to children who have had police contact. The program involves parents, schools, and the community. Questions on these programs and other panel topics are posed by telephone and from the studio audience. A participants packet accompanies the video presentation.