NCJ Number
56023
Date Published
1976
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN IN NEED OF SUPERVISION (CHINS) AND OTHER STATUS OFFENDERS IN NEW MEXICO ARE DESCRIBED, SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THESE YOUTHS ARE ASSESSED, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICES ARE RECOMMENDED.
Abstract
THE REPORT OPENS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH YOUTHS WHOSE BEHAVIOR PRESENTS PROBLEMS BUT IS NOT DELINQUENT. NEW MEXICO'S STATUTORY PROVISIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICES FOR STATUS OFFENDERS ARE REVIEWED, AND THE STATE'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE FUNDS AND DESIGNATE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH SERVICES IS NOTED. STATISTICS ON CHINS, OTHER STATUS OFFENDERS, AND JUVENILE DELINQUENTS SERVED BY JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICES ARE PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED. SPECIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO CHINS ARE DESCRIBED, AND SHORTCOMINGS OF SERVICE PROVISION ARE POINTED OUT. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REORGANIZING THE ADMINISTRATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO STATUS OFFENDERS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS ARE PRESENTED. NEEDS AND STRATEGIES RELATIVE TO DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIFIC SERVICES--GROUP HOMES, YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, SUBSIDIZED ADOPTION, FOSTER CARE PUBLIC AWARENESS, PROBATION SUBSIDY, SERVICES FOR RUNAWAYS, EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN, PARENTING EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS--ARE OUTLINED. THREE OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY (CREATING A NEW AGENCY, PROVIDING A COORDINATING MECHANISM, OR DESIGNATING A LEAD AGENCY) ARE CONSIDERED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE EXISTING DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES TAKE CHARGE OF YOUTH SERVICES. A SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE ORGANIZATION AND DELIVERY OF YOUTH SERVICES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)