Coordination of the National Effort for Dealing With Juvenile Delinquency - Governmental Responsibility

• NCJ Number: 75187
• Author(s): B Romnes
• Date Published: 1964
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Juvenile Delinquency Facts and Facets, number 7.

Annotation

This 1960 report from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare assesses patterns of coordination between Federal, State and local governments in efforts to combat juvenile delinquency.

Abstract

Within a broad concept of coordination, three structures can be identified: intraagency administrative coordination of direct services, mechanisms for interagency coordination of related programs and services, and organizations which promote citizens participation in delinquency prevention or treatment activities. Basic assumptions regarding agencies' responsibilities for administrative coordination are outlined, followed by a review of coordination at all governmental levels. This discussion emphasizes that services which reach the delinquent must ultimately be provided by the local community and are closely related to programs for the prevention of mental illness. Studies have indicated that an effective strategy in the war against delinquency is largely a matter of having the appropriate community services in the right place at the right time. Through consultation, surveys, and research, State agencies can help local governments identify needs and innovative programs. Because several local agencies may be responsible for child welfare, interagency coordination is particularly important. In this context, city youth commissions are an example of an effective community coordinating mechanism which deserves more State and Federal support. In order to clarify the State role in delinquency prevention and treatment, a typology of administrative patterns related to services is presented. The impact of Federal child welfare grants on State programs is examined, because these funds have been used increasingly for delinquency prevention. Descriptions of State youth commissions, committees on children and youth, and agencies which provide technical assistance to community organizations illustrate interagency and citizen coordination at the State level. States also offer valuable services in coordinating research and training projects. Coordinating bodies at the Federal level include the Federal Interdepartmental Committee on Children and Youth, the National Council on Juvenile Delinquency, the White House Conferences on Children and Youth, and Federal consultation services. The article is accompanied by nine footnotes.