NCJ Number
217725
Date Published
2006
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from a 3-year assessment of the CTRIBAT Youth Development Program in the Dixwell Area of New Haven.
Abstract
Findings indicated that since the CTRIBAT program launched several social development projects throughout the City of New Haven, there has been a consistent decrease in violent crime among youth between the ages of 10 and 15 years. Additionally, the rate of public generated complaints about youth decreased as a result of the year-round programming that involves the participation of police officers. Following a 3-day summer camping retreat that used police officers as instructors, there were significant reductions in violent crimes involving firearms, thefts, vandalism, and domestic violence. These results carried through the rest of the summer and through the following school year. The evaluation involved a group of 55 minority males ages 6 to 17 years and a control youth group of 10 to 15 African-American males ages 6 to 13 years. The report also describes the theoretical assumptions of the CTRIBAT program, its core strategies, objectives, mission statement, and goals. CTRIBAT’s mission is to end youth violence in inner city areas through consistent youth programming that addresses the challenges that precipitate negative and inappropriate behaviors. The program is intended for at-risk youth who are not targeted for other at-risk youth programming because their difficulties are not necessarily as significant as the challenges of other at-risk youth. Descriptions are offered of the event history of CTRIBAT programming in New Haven, which extended from February 2002 to May 2006 and involved a myriad of different social development programs, such as numerous father-son fishing trips, interactive art workshops, and educational trainings. The CTRIBAT 2006 Summer Pilot Assessment Summary Report is also presented, which describes the 2006 Summer Leadership Retreat designed to reduce recidivism among the juvenile parole and probation population. Recommendations are offered that focus on retaining the Summer Leadership Retreat and emphasizing community collaboration.