NCJ Number
54193
Date Published
1977
Length
97 pages
Annotation
THE IMPACT OF THE THRESHOLDS PROJECT, A JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM IN EAST OAKLAND, CALIF., IS EVALUATED.
Abstract
DATA FOR THE IMPACT EVALUATION WERE OBTAINED FROM AN EXAMINATION OF RELEVANT PROJECT DOCUMENTS, REGULAR OBSERVATIONS OF PROJECT OPERATIONS, DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF FROM THRESHOLDS AND THE BAY AREA URBAN LEAGUE, AND INTERVIEWS WITH 59 PERSONS WHO HAD SIGNIFICANT INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PROJECT. THE EVALUATION CONCERNED HOW THE THRESHOLDS PROJECT MET COMMUNITY NEEDS (ORGANIZING TO MAKE SERVICE DELIVERY MORE EFFECTIVE, DEVELOPING LOCAL COMPETENCE, DEVELOPING AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND ESTABLISHING A YOUTH RESOURCE AND ACTIVITY CENTER) AND PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. THREE MAJOR GOALS, WITH COROLLARY OBJECTIVES, WERE ASSESSED IN RELATION TO THEIR ACHIEVEMENT: (1) TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND COOPERATION WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES IN PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING, AND COORDINATING CRIME REDUCTION PROGRAMS (TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GROUP, NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, COMMUNITY EDUCATION FORUM, AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES); (2) TO DIVERT YOUTH FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND REDUCE THEIR CONTACT WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES (YOUTH REFERRALS, SCHOOL COUNSELING CLASSES, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE); AND (3) TO REDUCE THE RATE OF RECIDIVISM AMONG EX-CONVICTS EMPLOYED BY THE PROJECT (EMPLOYMENT OF EX-CONVICTS AND INSERVICE TRAINING). THE MAJORITY OF PERSONS INTERVIEWED FELT THAT THE THRESHOLDS PROJECT WAS MEETING A VITAL NEED IN THE COMMUNITY AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROGRAM CONTINUE. PROJECT STAFF WERE VIEWED AS CAPABLE AND AVAILABLE TO YOUTH WHEN NEEDED. ALTHOUGH MOST RESPONDENTS WERE FAVORABLE IN THEIR EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT, THEY ALL HAD SUGGESTIONS ON PROBLEM AREAS TO BE CONSIDERED. THE PROJECT DID A RESPECTABLE JOB OF APPROACHING EACH OF ITS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE FIRST YEAR. OBSTACLES HINDERING PROJECT DEVELOPMENT INVOLVED AMBITIOUS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY A SMALL STAFF IN A YEAR'S TIME, FUNDING, THE NEED FOR PROJECT LEGITIMIZATION BY ESTABLISHED INSTITUTIONS, AND PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROJECT BY TWO AGENCIES (BAY AREA URBAN LEAGUE AND SELF-ADVANCEMENT THROUGH EDUCATION). HISTORICAL EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INITIATION OF THE PROJECT ARE TRACED. SUPPORTING EVALUATION DATA ARE PROVIDED, AND APPENDIXES CONTAIN AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF THE THRESHOLDS PROJECT, LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, AND AN ENROLLEE SURVEY FORM. (DEP)