PRE-DELINQUENT GIRL - DOES A VOLUNTEER FRIEND PROGRAM HELP?

• NCJ Number: 67211
• Journal: Adolescence Volume: 15 Issue: 57 Dated: (SPRING 1980) Pages: 55-64
• Author(s): C PRICE; R P PRICE; B TOOMEY
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Libra Publishers, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: A VERSION OF THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE ON THE WORLD OF THE ADOLESCENT, BIRMINGHAM, AL, JUNE, 1978

Annotation

AN OHIO DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAM IN WHICH UNRULY OR TROUBLESOME GIRLS ARE EACH PROVIDED WITH A TRAINED VOLUNTEER WOMAN WHOSE GOAL IS TO DEVELOP A CLOSE AND GOAL-ORIENTED RELATIONSHIP, IS EVALUATED.

Abstract

FRIENDS IN ACTION, THE VOLUNTARY AGENCY WHICH CONDUCTED THE PROGRAM, WAS FOUNDED IN 1968. BOTH VOLUNTEERS AND CLIENTS ENTER THE PROGRAM VOLUNTARILY. PROGRAM GOALS ARE TO COUNTERACT THE INFLUENCE OF UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR MODELS, REDUCE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG WOMEN SEEN BY THE COURT, POSITIVELY DEMONSTRATE COMMUNITY CONCERN FOR ITS MEMBERS, AND SHOW THROUGH ACTION THE ABILITY TO COPE. THOSE REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM ARE BETWEEN AGES 6 AND 18 AND ARE DEFINED AS UNRULY BY OHIO LAW. MOST ARE REFERRED BY THE COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT, INDIVIDUALS, OR INSTITUTIONS. VOLUNTEERS AND CLIENTS ARE MATCHED ON THE BASIS OF PERSONALITY, LOCATION, INTERESTS, NEEDS, AND THE COORDINATOR'S INTUITION. THE PROGRAM IS EVALUATED BY ONE UNIVERSITY'S SOCIAL WORK FACULTY AND STUDENTS. A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY DESIGN ALONG WITH SELF-ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRES AND INTERVIEWS ARE USED TO COLLECT DATA FROM AGENCY BOARD MEMBERS, AGENCY STAFF, CLIENTS MATCHED IN 1977, VOLUNTEERS, AND ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL REFERRING AGENTS. RESULTS INDICATED THAT AGENCY BOARD AND STAFF AGREE WITH AGENCY POLICIES AND MISSION, BUT FEEL THAT THE AGENCY FUNDING PROCESS NEEDS CHANGING. OVER ONE-THIRD OF THE POTENTIAL REFERRAL AGENTS ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM. THE AGENCY RECEIVED HIGH OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS RATINGS. BOTH VOLUNTEERS AND CLIENTS FEEL THAT THE PROGRAM HELPS THE CLIENTS BUT IS LEAST SUCCESSFUL IN ACTUALLY SOLVING CLIENTS' PROBLEMS. ALMOST FOUR-FIFTHS OF THE CLIENTS INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE VOLUNTEERS IN THE FUTURE. FOUR-FIFTHS OF THE VOLUNTEERS WOULD RECOMMEND THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE TO A FRIEND. RESULTS SUPPORTED THE DESIRABILITY OF CONTINUING THIS FORM OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMING FOR ADOLESCENT FEMALES AND INDICATE THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLICITY AND FOR EVALUATIVE RESEARCH. NO FOOTNOTES OR REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)