NCJ Number
61512
Date Published
1979
Length
405 pages
Annotation
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON CONNECTICUT RESOURCES TO KEEP TROUBLED ADOLESCENTS OUT OF DETENTION CENTERS EXAMINES HOST HOME PROGRAMS, TEMPORARY SHELTERS, SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE, AND OTHERS.
Abstract
THIS FINAL REPORT OF THE CONNECTICUT DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION OF STATUS OFFENDERS (DSO) PROJECT TRACES THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, THE JUVENILE COURT, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES. IT ALSO EXAMINES EFFORTS TO SUSTAIN THE DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION PROJECT BEYOND THE LIFE OF THE 3-YEAR DSO PROJECT. SEPARATE REPORTS COVER SIX TYPES OF ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION, DESCRIBING THE ORGANIZATION, CHARACTERISTICS, FUNDING, AND OPERATIONS OF EACH. THE PROGRAMS INCLUDE (1) THE HOST PROGRAMS (NETWORKS OF VOLUNTEER FAMILIES WHO PROVIDE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SHELTER WHEN THERE IS NEED FOR A YOUNG PERSON TO 'COOL OFF'); (2) TEMPORARY SHELTERS, SOME WITH LINKAGES TO HOST HOME PROGRAMS AND WITH RELATED SERVICES SUCH AS CHILD MONITORING; (3) SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE FOCUSING ON TRAINED FAMILIES PREPARED TO ACCEPT ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS, THE EMERGENCY PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN WHO ARE RUNNING AWAY, SEXUALLY ACTING OUT, OR BEYOND PARENTAL CONTROL; (4) SPECIALIZED SERVICES WHICH DEAL WITH YOUTH NOT SERVED WITHIN THE PROJECT OR BY OTHER SERVICES--MAINLY CHRONIC RUNAWAYS, CHRONIC SEXUAL ACTING OUT CASES, AND MULTIPLE STATUS OFFENDERS; (5) RESIDENCES FOR PREGNANT TEENAGERS; AND (6) ASSESSMENT SERVICES FOR RUNAWAYS AND THEIR FAMILIES. SERVICES WITHIN THESE PROGRAMS ARE NOT UNIFORM, AND COORDINATION OF AVAILABLE SERVICES AND MORE COMMUNITY AWARENESS ARE NEEDED. INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM INTAKE AND PROCESSING FORMS AND SCHEDULES ACCOMPANY REPORTS. BIBLIOGRAPHIES ARE PROVIDED IN SOME OF THE REPORTS. (RFC)