NCJ Number
47439
Date Published
1978
Length
94 pages
Annotation
SEVENTEEN PROGRAMS IN THE AREAS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND DIVERSION, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, DAY CARE, AND CHILD HEALTH CARE ARE EXAMINED IN DEPTH. COSTS, GOALS, AND METHODS OF OPERATION ARE NOTED.
Abstract
THE PROJECTS EXAMINED INCLUDE: AN ADOLESCENT DIVERSION PROJECT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS; A COMMUNITY-FUNDED HOME FOR PREDELINQUENT CHILDREN IN BOULDER, COLO.; THE NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH RESOURCES CENTER, A MULTI-FACETED PROJECT IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.; PROJECT OZ, SERVING RUNAWAY YOUTHS IN SAN DIEGO, CALIF.; A SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CALIF., DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR STATUS OFFENDERS; A FAMILY CENTER IN ADAMS COUNTY, COLO., FOR THE PREVENTION, DETECTION, AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE; THE FAMILY STRESS CENTER OF CHULA VISTA, CALIF.; PROJECT PROTECTION OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD., PUBLIC SCHOOLS; THE SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROGRAM OF LITTLE ROCK, ARK.; AS WELL AS FOUR DAYCARE AND FOUR CHILD HEALTH PROJECTS. DATA GIVEN FOR EACH PROJECT INCLUDE: PROJECT COSTS, PROJECT DURATION, FUNDING SOURCE, SPONSORING AGENCY OR ORGANIZATION, PROJECT GOALS, AN OVERVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND INNOVATIVE ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT, RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND A CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS PROGRAM SUCCEEDED IN THREE AREAS. IT REDUCED THE NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF POLICE CONTACTS DURING AND AFTER THE INTERVENTION PERIOD, AS COMPARED TO A CONTROL GROUP. IT ALSO REDUCED THE NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF COURT PETITIONS AND IMPROVED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. THE BOULDER PROJECT SUFFERS FROM A LACK OF PROJECT GOALS, BUT IT HAS PROVIDED AN ALTERNATIVE FOR PREDELINQUENT CHILDREN AND CHILDREN WITH PROBLEMS IN THE FAMILY. THE NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH RESOURCES CENTER HAS BEEN CITED FOR ITS SUCCESS WITH MINORITY YOUTHS. PROJECT OZ IS MORE CLINICALLY ORIENTED, WORKING WITH BOTH RUNAWAYS AND THEIR FAMILIES. ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF ITS YOUTHS RETURN HOME SUCCESSFULLY. THE SACRAMENTO PROGRAM HAS ALSO PROVEN SUCCESSFUL IN DIVERTING STATUS CASES FROM THE FORMAL COURT SYSTEM. THE CHILD ABUSE PROJECTS WORKED WELL IN IDENTIFYING CASES. HOWEVER, THE SUCCESS OF THE INTERVENTION VARIED WITH THE SKILL OF THE STAFF AND THE FAMILY SITUATION. THE COMMUNITY EFFORTS OFTEN FOUND THAT SUCH FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES AS DAYCARE WERE ESSENTIAL TO BREAK THE ABUSE CYCLE. FUNDING INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IS APPENDED. (GLR)