NCJ Number
81706
Date Published
1981
Length
165 pages
Annotation
This report provides an evaluation of Legal Services for Children (LSC), a San Francisco program providing legal representation with social casework backup for minors in all kinds of juvenile court matters, civil court matters which do not generate fees, and administrative proceedings.
Abstract
Other LSC activities include community outreach and education and procedure manuals on such subjects as guardianship, emancipation, and special education for young people and the people who serve them. Data for the evaluation were gathered by LSC staff, using criteria developed by LSC staff; LSC board members, funders, and past employees; representatives of such organizations as the juvenile court and social welfare agencies; evaluation experts; and a variety of subject matter experts. Case studies and program statistics were used to determine the program's impact on clients. The program's impact on other institutions was also examined. It was found that LSC has demonstrated the effectiveness of its service delivery model both for achieving positive results for individual clients and for influencing the entire juvenile justice system. The model's main characteristics are its comprehensive representation in all kinds of legal and administrative matters affecting minors' rights and welfare, the availability of free services for minors up to age 18, the combination of legal and social casework services, and team staffing using attorneys and caseworkers. Other crucial components include its centralized referral system for other agencies, its advocacy of alternatives to juvenile court intervention, and its planning for alternative dispositions emphasizing community-based resources instead of institutionalization. The LSC model meets all the criteria set by the polled experts and LSC staff. Its concept is valid not only for San Francisco but also for the country as a whole. An evaluation by outside consultants and the establishment of long-term funding resources are recommended. Tables and an appendix describing program activities and presenting letters and documentation on individual cases are provided.