NCJ Number
68024
Date Published
1976
Length
123 pages
Annotation
RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REPORTED FROM THE FINAL EVALUATION OF THE BERKELEY YOUTH ALTERNATIVES PROJECT (CALIFORNIA), A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM.
Abstract
THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF A CRISIS CENTER THAT PROVIDES SHORT-TERM CRISIS COUNSELING, A COUNSELING CENTER THAT OFFERS LONG-TERM COUNSELING AND TRAINING FOR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, A FOSTER HOMES PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FOSTER HOMES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES AND COUNSELING TO NATURAL AND FOSTER PARENTS AND CLIENTS, A GROUP HOME, AN ATTORNEY ADVOCATE, AND REFERRAL SERVICES. THE EVALUATION CONSISTED OF (1) INTERVIEWS WITH COMMUNITY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM, (2) INTERVIEWS WITH EACH PROGRAM STAFF MEMBER, (3) AN EXAMINATION OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES, (4) AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, (5) AN EXAMINATION OF RANDOMLY SELECTED CLIENT FILES, AND (6) INTERVIEWS WITH A RANDOM SAMPLE OF CLIENTS. RESULTS SHOW THAT THE CORRECTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND FISCAL PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE INTERIM EVALUATION REPORT IS PROGRESSING AT AN EXCELLENT PACE. THE ONLY MAJOR RESIDUAL PROBLEM AREA IS THE INFORMATION SYSTEM; OTHERWISE, THE PROGRAM APPEARS TO BE OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY, WITHOUT ANY OTHER MAJOR ADMINISTRATIVE, FISCAL OR SERVICE DELIVERY PROBLEMS. THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT THE PROGRAM DEVELOP A MORE EFFECTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF CLIENT IMPACT INFORMATION; REMOVE UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS REGARDING THE FEE-FOR-SERVICE PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS; CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE FACILITY; AND ACQUIRE APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL JOB AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT SKILLS. TABULAR DATA, AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART, AND A FEW FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED.