NCJ Number
27475
Date Published
1974
Length
50 pages
Annotation
THE PROJECT OBJECTIVE WAS TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM OF SERVICE COMPONENTS - REFERRAL, MOTIVATION, VOCATION, AND RECREATION - TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM OF INCREASING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY.
Abstract
THE MOTIVATION COMPONENT INVOLVED PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE COUNSELING BY VOLUNTEER SCHOOL GUIDANCE PERSONNEL, A TUTORING PROGRAM, A LIBRARY/STUDY HALL, EDUCATIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL FIELD TRIPS AND A CAREER WEEK. THE VOCATIONAL COMPONENT CONDUCTED TWO JOB FAIRS, A CAREER WEEK, AND ESTABLISHED A YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE. MAJOR PROGRAM AND EVALUATION ACTIVITIES ARE OUTLINED AND DISCUSSED. THE IMPACT OF THE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU WAS EVALUATED ON THE BASIS OF INTERVIEWS, OBSERVATION OF VARIOUS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES, A RANDOM SAMPLE SURVEY OF WARMINSTER HEIGHTS YOUTH, AND A REVIEW OF PROGRAM MATERIALS AND RECORDS. EVALUATORS ATTRIBUTE THE OPERATION OF THIS YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU WITH THE 34 PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TO POLICE AGAINST JUVENILES, A SHARP DECREASE IN VANDALISM, AND A 40-50 PER CENT DROP IN SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM. EVALUATORS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROGRAM BE REFUNDED FOR A SECOND YEAR, THAT MORE EMPHASIS BE PLACED ON LONG RANGE VOCATIONAL CONCERNS, THAT THE RECREATION COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM BE DISCONTINUED, AND THAT A GREATER EFFORT BE MADE TO MAKE THE OBJECTIVES AND PROCEDURES OF THE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU BETTER KNOWN.