NCJ Number
47987
Date Published
1978
Length
102 pages
Annotation
A 40-MONTH PROJECT IN WHICH 5 COMMUNITIES WERE AIDED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COORDINATED PLANNING PROCESS FOR YOUTH SERVICES IS DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
THE YOUTH-COMMUNITY COORDINATION PROJECT WAS A DEMONSTRATION EFFORT CONDUCTED BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WELFARE ASSOCIATION WITH LEAA FUNDING FROM NOVEMBER 1974 TO APRIL 1978. THE PROJECT ASSISTED FIVE COMMUNITIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH SERVICE SYSTEMS EMPHASIZING PREVENTION RATHER THAN REHABILITATION, AGENCY COOPERATION RATHER THAN COMPETITION, AND OBJECTIVE IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS AND PROBLEMS. DATA TO SUPPORT PLANNING ACTIVITIES WERE GATHERED BY COMMUNITY COORDINATORS IN CHARLESTON, S.C.; JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLO.; SAVANNAH, GA.; TACOMA, WASH.; AND PROVIDENCE, R.I. SIX RESEARCH AND FEEDBACK INSTRUMENTS PROVIDED INFORMATION ON EXISTING YOUTH SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS, THE NEEDS OF YOUTH, AND SERVICE GAPS. A MODEL YOUTH SERVICE SYSTEM WAS THEN DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED IN THE DEMONSTRATION COMMUNITIES. KEY ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM ARE PLANNING AND SANCTIONING GROUPS THAT ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT OBJECTIVES IN THE AREAS OF FAMILY LIFE, JUVENILE JUSTICE, RECREATION, EDUCATION, AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT. THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT AND THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTRAL STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY COORDINATORS. ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL SPONSORSHIP AND TO THE ATTRIBUTES OF SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY COORDINATORS. IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE DISCUSSED. SUMMARIES OF THE PROJECT'S RESEARCH FINDINGS (INCLUDING TABULAR DATA) AND A SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE MODEL YOUTH SERVICE SYSTEM ARE APPENDED. (LKM)