NCJ Number
124581
Date Published
1990
Length
32 pages
Annotation
The 33 delinquency prevention projects funded in 25 Iowa counties in 1983-84 are described in an effort to provide models for those communities wanting to implement low-cost delinquency prevention projects and to focus attention on the youth of Iowa and prevent their involvement in the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
Most of the projects worked to reach youth "at risk" and to provide alternative activities to delinquency. The descriptions are presented according to the approach adopted by the project: recreational, employment, peer helper, educational, stress management and self-image, parent education and family assistance, and community development. The average cost per project was $1,113.25. It is estimated that several hundred Iowa youth were reached. Not all projects realized their objectives, but the programs did raise community awareness of juvenile-related problems. Overall, those projects experiencing the most success included youth in the pre-implementation planning process. This participation frequently brought parental involvement which lead to adult volunteer support. Possibly, the most significant contributing factors to ensuring success are broad-based community commitment to the prevention effort and youth "ownership" of the program.