NCJ Number
57271
Date Published
1979
Length
15 pages
Annotation
AN EVALUATION OF A PROJECT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO ADJUDICATION FOR THE YOUTH OF KEENE, (NH) AND 16 SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
PROJECT GOALS INCLUDE MAINTAINING THE CAPACITY TO MAKE ASSESSMENTS, IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS, AND MAKING REFERRALS FOR 100 YOUTHS DURING THE SPECIFIED PERIOD. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JUVENILE COORDINATOR INCLUDE YOUTH ASSIGNMENTS, CASE FOLLOWUP, CASE PRESENTATION TO THE JUVENILE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, FINAL DISPOSITION OF CASES, AND WORKING WITH THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. ALL CASES ENTERED IN THE KEENE DISTRICT COURT ARE INITIALLY CONSIDERED BY THE COORDINATOR, AND PRELIMINARY DETERMINATIONS ARE MADE WHETHER THE CLIENT SHOULD BE COUNSELED AND RELEASED, BROUGHT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, OR HANDLED IN COURT. THE CRITERIA THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST IN SCREENING POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR THE PROGRAM INCLUDE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE, PRIOR POLICE CONTACT, AND FAMILY SITUATION. SEVERAL REFERRAL AGENCY RESOURCES ARE USED BY THE JUVENILE COORDINATOR INCLUDING MEDICAL SERVICES, THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DIVISION OF WELFARE, AND BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER PROGRAMS. IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THE JUVENILE COORDINATOR PROJECT, 63 CHILDREN CAME BEFORE THE COORDINATOR AS COMPARED TO 48 FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR IN 1977. IT IS EXPECTED THAT 75 TO 80 CASES WILL BE HANDLED BY THE COORDINATOR DURING THE FIRST PROJECT YEAR. THE DIVERSION PROGRAM MAKES MAXIMUM USE OF REFERRAL AGENCY SERVICES AND REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT REMEDIAL COURSE OF ACTION. BECAUSE IT DERIVES ITS AUTHORITY FROM THE COURT, CLIENTS ARE REASSURED THAT SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPATION PRECLUDES FURTHER COURT ACTION. IT IS A HIGHLY WORKABLE METHOD FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO JUVENILES AND TO THE COMMUNITY.