NCJ Number
131548
Date Published
1989
Length
139 pages
Annotation
Data from 14 Federal, State, and local government agencies formed the basis of this needs assessment of the youth in Westchester County, New York.
Abstract
Results showed that the 1989 population of youth ranging in age from birth to 19 years was 210,000. Of these, 28,359 live at or below the poverty level. In addition, 11,702 are physically and/or mentally handicapped, 7,001 were arrested, and 1,975 are in drug treatment programs in the county. Moreover, 1,866 female teenagers became pregnant, 1,205 of these had an induced abortion, 829 youths dropped out of school, 598 children were physically abused, 355 were sexually abused, and 396 contracted gonorrhea or syphilis. Finally, 278 ran away from home, 33 contracted AIDS, and 10 committed suicide. Results also showed that current problems are much more difficult to prevent and more costly to address than they were a few years ago. To be effective, services and resources must be coordinated and provided at the neighborhood level. Tables, figures, and maps