NCJ Number
61938
Date Published
1977
Length
14 pages
Annotation
METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS ARE PRESENTED FOR AN EVALUATION OF A JUVENILE OFFENDERS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IN NEW YORK CITY.
Abstract
FROM MAY 1975 TO AUGUST 1977, THE SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT FOR ADOLESCENTS PROGRAM (SEA) HAS PROVIDED SUPPORTED WORK PROJECTS, GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING AND TUTORING, REFERRAL AND ADVOCACY, AND FAMILY LIAISON FOR 103 CLIENTS. THE EVALUATION, WHICH BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 1976, CONSIDERED ALL 103 CLIENTS. AS OF AUGUST 1977, 63 OF THE 103 CLIENTS HAD LEFT THE PROGRAM. OF THIS GROUP, FOUR HAD 'GRADUATED' AND AN ADDITIONAL NINE WERE EXPECTED TO GRADUATE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. GRADUATIOM FROM SEA IMPLIED THAT THE PROGRAM HAD BEEN EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING CLIENT FUNCTIONING IN JOB-RELATED BEHAVIOR. AN ADDITIONAL 13 CLIENTS WERE TERMINATED FOR 'POSITIVE' REASONS, SUCH AS THE CLIENT'S DESIRE TO ENTER A FULL-TIME JOB. A LACK OF CLIENT INTEREST IN THE PROGRAM RESULTED IN 40 TERMINATIONS. FINDINGS SHOW THAT SEA'S GREATEST IMPACT WAS UPON CLIENTS WITH MODEST PRIOR ARREST HISTORIES (LESS THAN FOUR OFFENSES). REGARDING THE MORE SERIOUS OFFENDER GROUPS, THE DATA CAN ONLY SUPPORT A CAUTIOUS STATEMENT THAT PROGRAMS SUCH AS SEA SHOULD NOT HOLD HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN RECIDIVISM RATES. SUSTAINED PARTICIPATION OF SUCH CLIENTS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN. SEA CANNOT BE VIEWED AS A TOTAL RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM OF DELINQUENCY. RATHER, A SYSTEM OF YOUTH SUPPORTS (PARTICULARLY VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL) IS REQUIRED OF WHICH SEA COULD BE A PART. (RCB)