NCJ Number
51285
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Dated: (AUGUST 1978) Pages: 71-75
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
TWO PROGRAMS DEVELOPED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINN., DEPARTMENT OF COURT SERVICES TO INCREASE COOPERATION BETWEEN JUVENILE COURT PERSONNEL AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
AFTER A DISCUSSION OF THE LIMITATIONS INHERENT IN THE PROBATION PROCESS, IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE YOUTH IN TROUBLE IS GENERALLY THE PRODUCT OF A FAMILY IN TROUBLE AND THAT SUCCESSFUL INTERVENTION REQUIRES RESOURCES FAR BEYOND THOSE OF THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM. TWO PROGRAMS TO INCREASE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF YOUNG OFFENDERS WERE STARTED IN 1976: A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM AND A LEARNING DISABILITY EVALUATION PROGRAM. THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT EFFORTS HAVE INCLUDED PUBLICATION OF A DIRECTORY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, MEETINGS BETWEEN COURT PERSONNEL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCIES, WORKSHOPS, INSERVICE TRAINING IN JUVENILE PROCEDURES FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, AND A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER. A SPECIAL EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO WORK WITH SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO GENERATE MORE ALTERNATIVES FOR DEALING WITH BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL SETTINGS. THE LEARNING DISABILITY EVALUATION PROGRAM IS A JUVENILE COURT INTAKE PROCEDURE. A SCREENING TEST BATTERY WAS DEVELOPED AND IS NOW GIVEN TO ALL ADOLESCENTS APPEARING BEFORE THE COURT. THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE PROGRAM FOUND SIGNIFICANT LEARNING DISABILITIES IN 80 PERCENT. PLANS ARE NOW UNDERWAY TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE REMEDIATION WORK FOR THE DISABILITIES IDENTIFIED BY THIS PROGRAM. BOTH PROGRAMS HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE. REFERENCES ARE NOT INCLUDED. (GLR)