NCJ Number
79031
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Program components and evaluation results are described for a nonresidential treatment and supervision program for youth in Worcester, Mass.
Abstract
The Community Advancement Program (CAP), began in 1971, takes juveniles who have failed in traditional probation programs and places them in the care of counselors with caseloads of no more than five and sometimes as few as two youths. Although clients remain in their own homes, counselors are responsible for knowing where each client is and what he is doing 24 hours a day. Further, counselors are to see that clients have employment or schooling, recreational opportunities, vocational and educational counseling, and proper medical and dental care. Frequently, the counselor also provides help to a client's parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. While the 'tracking' component of CAP guarantees that each youth assigned to this phase will have at least 5 hours of supervision a day, clients under the 'regular' program receive a minimum of 15 hours a week of supervision. CAP's contract with the Department of Youth Services stipulates that youth in the tracking and regular components will receive 6 months of supervision. CAP has plans to expand its program to provide jobs and teach good work habits to persons now considered unemployable. This will be done in many cases in the context of CAP's own businesses--a pizza shop, an ice cream parlor, and a nonprofit recycling corporation. Although inexperienced staff and low pay have caused some problems in staff morale, evaluations have praised most CAP programs for staff enthusiasm and the cohesiveness of treatment and supervision. Data show that the only region in the State where recidivism has dropped significantly since the institutions were closed is the region where CAP has its largest program.