NCJ Number
30687
Date Published
1975
Length
73 pages
Annotation
CONESTOGA COTTAGE IS A GROUP HOME IN LANCASTER (PA) THAT USES 'REALITY THERAPY' FOR GIRLS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED OR ARE LIKELY TO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
GROUP MEETINGS AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS ARE UTILIZED IN AN ATTEMPT TO TEACH THE CLIENTELE A DECISIONMAKING TECHNIQUE WHICH MAXIMIZES POSITIVE PAYOFF AND MINIMIZES NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES. IN ADDITION, ADULT VOLUNTEERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO INTERACT WITH THE GIRLS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS TO GIVE THEM NEW EXPERIENCE AND AN EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT LIFE STYLES. A TOTAL OF TWENTY-FOUR GIRLS HAVE BEEN ENROLLED IN CONESTOGA COTTAGE IN THE PAST YEAR. ELEVEN HAVE RUN AWAY FROM THE PROGRAM ONE OR MORE TIMES WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THEIR REMOVAL FROM THE PROGRAM, AND TWO OTHERS WERE DISCHARGED FOR OTHER REASONS. THE PROGRAM USES A FOUR- LEVEL STATUS SYSTEM IN GRANTING THE CLIENTS INCREASING PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. AFTER REACHING STATUS IV, A GIRL GRADUATES FROM THE PROGRAM. AT THE END OF THE FIRST PROJECT YEAR, TWO OF THE GIRLS HAVE REACHED STATUS IV, BUT NEITHER HAS GRADUATED. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS UNDESIRABLE COMPLETION RATE ARE DISCUSSED AT SOME LENGTH. THIS PROJECT IS COMPARED TO SIMILAR PROJECTS IN MINNESOTA WHICH HAD SIMILAR RESULTS. THE EVALUATION METHODOLOGY WAS A 'ONE-SHOT CASE STUDY' WHICH DID NOT UTILIZE A CONTROLGROUP, EXPERIMENTAL-GROUP DESIGN.