NCJ Number
64060
Journal
Social Casework Volume: 60 Issue: 9 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1979) Pages: 538-546
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A FAMILY AGENCY'S COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR HIGH-RISK ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE ADOLESCENT UNIT OF FAMILY SERVICE OF PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, LANHAM, MD., (FSPGC) IS AN INNOVATIVE TREATMENT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE TO DELINQUENT YOUTHS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT MAKES USE OF BOTH TRADITIONAL APPROACHES AND EXTENSIVE OUTREACH WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THE YOUNGSTERS IN THE ADOLESCENT UNIT RANGE IN AGE FROM 12 TO 18 AND ARE THROWAWAYS-CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT OF SCHOOLS, RECREATION CENTERS, AND OFTEN THEIR OWN HOMES. THESE CHILDREN WOULD HAVE TO BE INSTITUTIONALIZED IF THEY WERE NOT IN THE INTENSIVE COUNSELING PROGRAM OF THE ADOLESCENT UNIT. THE UNIT PROVIDES A MODEL FOR COMMUNITY BASED TREATMENT OF HIGHLY DISTURBED DELINQUENT ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT OFFERS WORKABLE CRITERIA THROUGH CAREFUL DIAGNOSIS, FORMULATION OF TREATMENT PLANNING, AND INTENSIVE TREATMENT SERVICES FOR DETERMINING WHICH TEENAGERS CAN BE MAINTAINED AT HOME. THE UNIT'S WORK WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY STRENGTHENS COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE FAMILY SYSTEM AND HELPS TO PREVENT THE INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNGER SIBLINGS WITH THE COURT. TREATMENT OF THE CLIENT'S ENVIRONMENT IS STRESSED--EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL, HIS SELF-ESTEEM ENHANCED BY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROGRAM. COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS ACTIVELY SOUGHT AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES PURSUED. FLEXIBILITY IN THE TREATMENT APPROACH BY MAKING HOME VISITS AND USING INFORMAL INTERACTION HELPS TO SUPPORT THE INVOLVEMENT OF RESISTANT CLIENTS. THE PROGRAM IS COST-EFFECTIVE AND INEXPENSIVE WHEN COMPARED TO THE COST OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION. IT IS ALSO MORE SUCCESSFUL, WITH A RECIDIVISM RATE OF 20 PERCENT. NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (MJW)