UPPER VALLEY (NH) YOUTH SERVICES CORPORATION COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH SERVICES PROJECT - AN EVALUATION

• NCJ Number: 57859
• Author(s): J CAHILL; J M HORTON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 27 pages
• Grant Number(s): 77-A-2371 053; 79-JJ-2371 053
• Sponsoring Agency: New Hampshire Governor's Cmssn on Crime and Delinquency
• Corporate Author: New Hampshire Governor's Cmssn on Crime and Delinquency
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PROJECT PERIOD NOV 3, 1978 - NOV 30, 1979

Annotation

THIS EVALUATION DESCRIBES PROBLEMS DISCOVERED AND RESULTING ACTIONS TAKEN IN A COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH SERVICES PROJECT CONDUCTED IN ONE STATE, AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS ON FURTHER STATE FUNDING.

Abstract

THE PROJECT, INITIATED IN 1977 AND CONDUCTED BY THE UPPER VALLEY YOUTH SERVICES CORPORATION (UVYS), WAS FUNDED DURING 1978 BY NEARLY $70,000 IN GRANT FUNDS, OF WHICH ABOUT 87 PERCENT CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, 3 PERCENT FROM THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE GOVERNMENT, AND 10 PERCENT FROM LOCAL SOURCES. THE PROJECT'S BROAD GOAL WAS TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A COMPREHENSIVE CENTRAL AGENCY TO COORDINATE AND ADMINISTER PROGRAMS FOR 10 TO 18 YEAR OLDS IN THREATENED LIVING SITUATIONS. SPECIFIC ACTIONS PLANNED WERE TO ESTABLISH A CENTRAL INTAKE SYSTEM, PROVIDE SPECIALIZED FOSTER HOMES, ESTABLISH AN IMPROVED LONG-TERM GROUP HOME, PROVIDE MORE ADEQUATE YOUTH AND FAMILY THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO MAINTAIN THE FAMILY UNIT AND THEREBY PREVENT PROBLEMS NECESSITATING FOSTER CARE. UVYS, A NONPROFIT CORPORATION, SET UP PROGRAMS IN EACH AREA AS WELL AS COOPERATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES. A 1978 SITE VISIT FROM STAFF OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY (GCCD) REVEALED SERIOUS DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLANS. GRANT FUNDS WERE THEREFORE SUSPENDED ON DECEMBER 28 AND REINSTATED THE NEXT DAY SUBJECT TO A SPECIFIED TIMETABLE FOR SPEEDING IMPLEMENTATIONS. AS A RESULT, CASELOADS OF INTAKE, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, COUNSELING AND FOSTER CARE SERVICES ALL INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. NEVERTHELESS, THE MINIMAL NUMBER OF FOSTER PLACEMENTS INDICATES SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN MEETING THE PROPOSED TIMETABLE. THE OTHER GOALS ARE BEING MET. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT GCCD SUPPORT NOT BE TERMINATED, BUT BE MONITORED FOR 90 DAYS AT THE END OF WHICH A FINAL RECOMMENDATION SHOULD BE MADE. TABLES SHOWING CASELOADS FOR SPECIFIED SERVICE, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, AND FUNDING, AND A NOTE ON SPECIFIC PERSONNEL AND COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS, ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)