Psychotherapeutic and Educational Programming and Learning Disabled Juvenile Offenders (From Learning Disabled Delinquent - Issues and Programming, P 99-108, 1981, Joseph A Cox, ed. - See NCJ-88371)

• NCJ Number: 88377
• Author(s): J A Cox
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Lakeview Ctr, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

Operation Divert, funded by the U.S. Office of Education, provides a treatment program for learning disabled first offenders to divert them from the juvenile justice system and prevent recidivism.

Abstract

Related objectives involve improving students' academic skills, increasing the adolescents' ability to establish appropriate relationships with other family and community members, and orienting the student to the world of work. Referrals of juveniles, aged 12 to 18 years, are made by the juvenile court. Staff conducts standardized academic and intellectual achievement testing and identifies learning disabilities. A treatment plan and goals are established with the student's and parents' agreement. The student spends 3 hours each weekday at the Mental Health Center in Escambia County, Fla., which runs the project, and the rest of the day in regular school, vocational training, or a part-time job. Basic academic skills, interview skills, and career awareness are taught. The emphasis is on enhancing the student's environmental problemsolving skills. Student and parent counseling along with strategies for overcoming learning disabilities and frustration are provided. Courses taught are outlined.