NCJ Number
68787
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (1979) Pages: 227-234
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
WHILE FEMALE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS WERE LEFT BEHIND IN THE DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION PROCESS IN THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES (DYS), THE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS DEVELOPED SINCE 1975 LOOK PROMISING.
Abstract
THE 1975 DISCRETIONARY GRANT FROM THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE FUNDED AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR GIRLS' SERVICES TO PLAN A STATEWIDE PROGRAM INVOLVING INTENSIVE FOSTER CARE, INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND SECURE TREATMENT MODELS, GEARED TO MEET YOUNG FEMALES' SPECIALIZED PROBLEMS. BECAUSE TRADITIONAL FOSTER HOMES APPEARED NOT TO WORK FOR MOST COURT-INVOLVED FEMALES (TRIGGERING FEELINGS OF SADNESS AND GUILT AROUND THE LOSS OF THE NATURAL FAMILY), INTENSIVE FOSTER CARE MODELS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED. THE CHINS (CHILDREN-IN-NEED-OF-SERVICE) ADVOCACY CENTER PROVIDES SHORT-TERM FOSTER CARE, WITH THE EMPHASIS ON REUNITING THE GIRLS WITH THEIR NATURAL FAMILIES THROUGH MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL APPOINTMENTS, LEGAL CONSULTATIONS, WORK TRAINING, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS. THE NORTHEAST FAMILY INSTITUTE'S INTENSIVE GIRLS' FOSTER CARE PROGRAM OFFERS LONG-TERM CARE TO DIFFICULT DYS GIRLS WHO HAVE FAILED IN MORE TRADITIONAL FOSTER SETTINGS. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO TRAIN FOSTER PARENTS IN THESE GIRLS' SPECIALIZED PROBLEMS. ALSO, AS INDEPENDENT LIVING SITUATIONS HAVE NOT WORKED, RESIDENTIAL GROUP SETTINGS, SOME WITH ONE-TO-ONE STAFF-TO-DELINQUENT RELATIONSHIPS, HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED. ALL THE PROGRAMS STRONGLY EMPHASIZE FAMILY REINTEGRATION AND COUNSELING, AND PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PROBLEMS IN MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIPS. SUCH PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITIES THAT (1) THE DAUGHTER HAS FIXATED AT AN INFANTILE LEVEL, SEEKING STILL UNFULFILLED NEEDS FROM HER MOTHER; (2) THERE IS LITTLE BOUNDARY BETWEEN A MOTHER'S EGO AND HER DAUGHTER'S; (3) THE MOTHER, HAVING BEEN INADEQUATELY CARED FOR AS A CHILD, LOOKS TO HER DAUGHTER TO BE HER OWN MOTHER; (4) MOTHER IS AN INCONSISTENT LIMIT-SETTER; OR (5) MOTHER IS THREATENED BY HER DAUGHTER'S SUCCESS OR EMERGING SEXUALITY. A TOTAL OF 13 REFERENCES IS PROVIDED.