NCJ Number
62427
Date Published
1979
Length
34 pages
Annotation
SEARCHING FOR ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION, NINE RURAL COMMUNITIES HAVE DEVELOPED PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE A RUNAWAY YOUTH NETWORK AND VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTION IN THE PROBLEMS OF VANDALISM.
Abstract
RURAL COMMUNITIES AND SMALL TOWNS FACE PROBLEMS OF FEWER RESOURCES AND SCANT EMPLOYMENT AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, FEWER CHANCES FOR STATE AND REGIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION, AND GREATER DISTANCES BETWEEN JUVENILES AND OF SERVICE PROVIDERS. DESPITE THESE OBSTACLES, NINE RURAL COMMUNITIES, RANGING IN SIZE FROM 100,000 TO 100 RESIDENTS, DEVELOPED SPECIAL YOUTH PROGRAMS DRAWING ON FUNDS FROM LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS AND FROM PRIVATE SOURCES. THEY ALSO SOLICITED THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS. PROJECTS INCLUDED THE RURAL ROUTE RUNAWAY NETWORK BY THE MOUNTAIN PLAINS YOUTH SERVICE COALITION OF PIERRE, S.D.; THE PURCHASE OF A VAN TO TRANSPORT YOUTH BY THE RURAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA; THE MATCHING OF FAMILY PARTNERS WITH TROUBLED FAMILIES BY THE FAMILY PARTNERS PROGRAM OF DECORAH, IOWA; AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A YOUTH TEACHING PROGRAM ON THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF VANDALISM BY THE YOUTH SPECIALIST OFFICE OF STERLING, COLO. THE PROGRAMS WERE DEVELOPED PARTLY AS A RESPONSE TO A CRIME PROBLEM AND PARTLY FROM A RECOGNITION THAT COMMUNITY YOUTH NEED BETTER SERVICES AND WEEKEND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE BOOKLET, PREPARED FOR THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION, ALSO DISCUSSES THE CREATIVE USE OF VOLUNTEERS AND THE ADVANTAGES OF FORMING A RURAL COMMUNITY COALITION TO OBTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING.