NCJ Number
107642
Date Published
1987
Length
725 pages
Annotation
Following a descriptive overview of the philosophy, purposes, organization, and operation of youth counseling centers, a comparative analysis of 12 centers (3 in the Netherlands, 3 in West Germany, and 6 in California) is provided.
Abstract
All of the centers are based on the concept of crisis intervention and the tradition of community organization. Three types of centers are described: those using a social work approach to address basic needs in such as areas as unemployment, and financial and medical assistance, those specializing in a single area such as education or drug counseling, and those using general psychosocial approach. The approaches and aims of the centers are examined, and descriptions are provided of their methods of initial contact (walk-in, drop-in), counseling (street work, outreach, referrals), and the stages of counseling from initial contact through termination and followup. Basic requirements centers must fulfill are identified; organizational, staffing, and systems issues are addressed. Finally, trends and issues in counseling services in the three countries are discussed. Chapter footnotes and approximately 800 references.