NCJ Number
44850
Date Published
1977
Length
121 pages
Annotation
A 2-YEAR PROJECT DESIGNED TO DIVERT YOUTHS FROM THE COURTS BY INVOLVING THEM IN 4-H ACTIVITIES IS DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE 4-H JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAM, FUNDED BY LEAA AND CONDUCTED BY THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE AT UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY, WAS PATTERNED AFTER 4-H APPROACHES TO EDUCATION AND CHARACTER BUILDING. ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS, GROUPS OF YOUTHS REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM FROM THE INTAKE DIVISION OF THE COURT SERVING SALT LAKE AND TOOELE COUNTIES, UTAH, PARTICIPATED IN 4 DAYS OF ORIENTATION AT THE UNIVERSITY, FOLLOWED BY 4 DAYS OF WILDERNESS CAMPING. DURING THEIR STAY ON CAMPUS, YOUTHS WERE TESTED, INTRODUCED TO 4-H PROJECTS, AND INVOLVED IN GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, RECREATION, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. UPON RETURNING HOME, THE YOUTHS CONTINUED THEIR 4-H INVOLVEMENT, RECEIVED TUTORING, JOB PLACEMENT, AND OTHER FOLLOWUP SERVICES, AND WERE MONITORED BY PROGRAM AGENTS, WHO PROVIDED LIAISON WITH COURTS, SCHOOLS, POLICE, AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. A SPECIAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL IDENTIFIED SOURCES OF SUPPORT FOR PROGRAM YOUTHS. THE TWO-PART FINAL REPORT INCLUDES A NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND OPERATIONS AND AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF THE PROGRAM ON THE ATTITUDES OF PARTICIPANTS. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN ATTEMPTING TO EVALUATE THE PROGRAM. SUPPORTING DATA AND EVALUATION INSTRUMENTS ARE INCLUDED.