Youth Employment: Technical Assistance Manual

• NCJ Number: 142719
• Author(s): Irving Spergel; Kenneth Ehrensaft; Alba Alexander; Robert L. Laseter
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 106 pages
• Publication Series: OJJDP Youth Gang Series
• Grant Number(s): 90-JD-CX-K001
• Agencies: OJJDP
• Publication Type: Training (Handbook/Manual)

Annotation

This manual details how to implement an employment program for gang youth and reviews steps for the development and planning of an employment program that targets gang youth.

Abstract

The intent of employment programs for youth is to provide economic opportunities for gang youth that will divert them from gang affiliations and behaviors. The intent of such programs is to develop entry-level jobs for gang youth that provide adult status, adequate income, opportunities for interpersonal relations, and the redirection of gang youth away from street crime and violence. In addition to expanding community-based job development and training programs, other approaches that establish school-to-work transition services should be considered. These include school-based vocational, pre- employment training, internship, and apprenticeship programs; youth-operated enterprises; job corps; and State and local youth corps. Effective program design will require a logical process of assessment, planning, goal definition, implementation, and evaluation. The manual provides guidelines for assessment, the defining of goals and objectives, organizational development and program structure, the development of an organizational base, and service delivery. The program evaluation process is also described. Appended glossary, descriptions of employment programs that target youth gangs, a job development bibliography, a job development flow chart, funding sources, and a list of reports