NCJ Number
146464
Date Published
1989
Length
155 pages
Annotation
This manual provides an overview of Youth Assistance, a community-based juvenile diversion program established by the Livonia, Michigan, Department of Community Resources in 1987 to aid youths ages 7 through 16 who exhibit asocial or criminal behavior.
Abstract
Program activities include behavioral contracts, assignment to a volunteer mentor, life skills courses, work service projects, tutorial assistance, job placement, and court sentencing observation. Following an overview, this manual discusses how to gain community support for such a program and how to hire qualified staff. Another section describes various program components including, inter alia, mentoring, family involvement, parenting classes, and a community action council. The steps in client processing include referral, intake, volunteer meeting, progress evaluation, discharge appointment, follow-up interview, and recordkeeping. The manual also provides information on developing a committed volunteer corps.