Assessment of Services Provided by State/Locally-Funded Juvenile Diversion Programs

• NCJ Number: 70905
• Author(s): M D Moore
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 89 pages
• Corporate Author: Colorado Division of Youth Services; Colorado Dept of Institutions
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Colorado's juvenile diversion programs in Denver and two rural communities were examined to identify gaps and duplications in services.

Abstract

These communities were selected for analysis because of the common assumption that urban areas have a disproportionate share of youth services while rural counties lack such programs. The study was limited to the identification of duplicate services and did not address needs or program effectiveness. In Denver, the following five juvenile diversionary programs were examined through interviews with staff members: Girls' Club-Southwest Youth, Inc.; North Denver Youth Services, Inc.; Northwest Denver Youth Services System; Project New Pride; and Southeast Denver Youth Services. Their educational and employment services were then compared with similar programs offered to the same clientele through other publicly funded Denver agencies. The study concluded that many diversion program services were duplicated by other projects, but that youths between 12 and 13 years who were not in public school and youths with learning disabilities were only served by the diversion programs. In Routt and Eagle counties, areas in northwestern Colorado with small towns separated by large distances, agencies having programs similar to the county diversion project were identified through questionnaires. Information about these services was then obtained by personal interview. In both counties some services were duplicated, but only the diversion programs--the Routt County Care Center and the Eagle Valley Youth Services--offered counseling on a drop-in basis, recreational programs for youths not enrolled in public school, and weekend or evening programs. The Care Center was the only county agency to provide workshops for youths in value clarification. Respondents to a youth needs survey in both counties indicated a need for additional youth services in counseling, shelter care, recreation, health and sex education, and employment. The survey questions whether maximum use is being made of the diversion programs. Charts are provided for each study which list the programs assessed and describe their services. Interview schedules, footnotes, and 15 references are included.