NCJ Number
74261
Date Published
1980
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This brochure describes the purpose, organization, volunteer training, impact, and cost of Project CREST, an Exemplary Project of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
Abstract
The north-central Florida project, begun in 1972, uses volunteer, graduate-level university students to counsel delinquent youth and to complement the more authoritative role of probation officers. Project CREST brings together three organizations who are interested in helping juveniles: Project CREST itself, the University of Florida, and the Florida Youth Services Program (YSP). CREST volunteers come from the University of Florida's Department of Counselor education, which requires graduate students to complete three to five practica (10-week work experiences in their field of specialization). All new volunteers receive an intensive 12-hour orientation and training workshop, meet weekly with each client's probation officer, and submit seven recordings of counseling sessions weekly for individual and group criticism. CREST clients often have psychological and family problems, and many have trouble dealing with authority. In helping their clients, CREST counselors use various counseling techniques and therapy models, may organize small group sessions, and often spend extra time in recreational activities with their clients. YSP staff see CREST as an important supplement to probation and as a way of resolving conflicting counseling and probation officer roles. Evaluation results, budget figures, criteria for establishing a CREST program, and an address to write to for information are included. Photographs are given.