NCJ Number
81259
Date Published
1980
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Possibilities of community-based forms of assistance to maladjusted juveniles are explored with emphasis on a program model operated in Freiburg, W. Germany.
Abstract
Youth crisis shelters are seen as needed and preferred alternatives to foster homes and institutional homes for troubled juveniles. Their services to runaways, probationers, and juveniles at risk should offer temporary residence, supervision, personal and job counseling, leisure activities, and instruction in basic living skills such as time organization. The shelter should be centrally located and have the capacity to house 12 or more residents. Intake should be possible at any hour of the day or night, and residents should be free to come and go without restraint. Staff should consist of a full-time social worker and psychologist and part-time counselors and clerical assistants. Objectives of this short-term assistance are to help clients achieve self-reliance; coping and living skills; and permanent residential, employment, and educational arrangements, (i.e., social reintegration at home or on one's own). Program success depends upon screening out chronically disturbed, substance-addicted, or criminally delinquent cases and selecting clients in crisis who are motivated to change their life patterns. Other program features are small therapy groups (up to six), permanent and adequate staff, clearly stated individualized goals and treatment schedules, clients' voluntary commitment to the treatment requirements, a specified treatment period, and followup after program completion. Program administration should secure the project's financial backing through official youth agencies at the local and national level.