NCJ Number
81979
Date Published
1978
Length
181 pages
Annotation
Findings are presented from an evaluation of Oregon's Specialized Out of Home Care Project (SOHC), a program designed to provide out-of-home care and probation services for juveniles involved in targeted offenses in a large target area of Portland.
Abstract
Targeted clients were 10-18 years-old, and targeted offenses were burglary, robbery, aggravated assault, homicide, and rape. Offenses excluded incidents where acquaintance or interpersonal relationship was a precipitating factor. SOHC objectives were to (1) offer a responsive central intake for all out-of-home care referrals, (2) locate or develop substitute resources to meet the specific needs of referred youth, and (3) model a case-planning method that is both goal specific and time limited (average placement 6 to 9 months). Cost data showed that the average monthly cost per out-of-home placement decreased the closer the project came to keeping all slots occupied and that maximum occupancy was more nearly achieved in the second 6 months of the first year of operation. Client profile data indicated that clients were heavily involved in a variety of problem behaviors in the home, school, and community. SOHC exceeded its goal of providing specialized out-of-home care for 150 referrals and routed to Children's Services 37 of a projected 50 for regular out-of-home care. For all clients referred and especially for those given project placements, the average number of counselor-rated problem behaviors significantly decreased over time. For a majority of the 27 rated problems, the proportions with these problems decreased over time. Further, all referrals and especially those placed showed improvement in three of six areas where client's motivation and capacity to change problematic behaviors were rated by counselors. Tabular data are provided, and detailed descriptions of project activities and evaluation procedures are appended.