NCJ Number
68911
Date Published
Unknown
Length
73 pages
Annotation
THIS EVALUATION OF 'BRIARPATCH,' A WISCONSIN PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE RUNAWAYS, INDICATES THAT IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN SECURING OPERATING FUNDS, IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH THE POLICE, PROVIDING SERVICES TO RUNAWAYS AND THEIR PARENTS, AND PERFORMING ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES.
Abstract
BRIARPATCH, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1972, AIMS AT REACHING, ESTABLISHING TRUST, AND PROVIDING EMERGENCY SHELTER, CARE, AND COUNSELING FOR JUVENILES WHO HAVE LEFT HOME OR INSTITUTIONS. COUNSELING SERVICES FOR RUNAWAYS AND THEIR PARENTS ARE PROVIDED, WITH THE AGENCY SERVING AS A CONTACT BETWEEN RUNAWAYS AND THEIR PARENTS. RUNAWAYS MAY BE HOUSED IN LICENSED FOSTER HOMES FOR UP TO 14 DAYS. FURTHER, BRIARPATCH SERVES AS A REFERRAL AGENCY FOR RUNAWAYS WHO DESIRE LEGAL, MEDICAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES. THE EVALUATION SOUGHT THE VIEWS OF (1) 31 RUNAWAYS SERVED BY THE PROGRAM IN THE PAST YEAR WHOSE PARENTS ALSO HAD CONTACT WITH THE PROGRAM, (2) PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF THE 31 RUNAWAYS, (3) COMMUNITY LEADERS AND DECISIONMAKERS, AND (4) CURRENT VOLUNTEER COUNSELORS IN THE PROGRAM. THE GROUPS INTERVIEWED WERE UNANIMOUS IN ASSERTING THE NEED FOR A RUNAWAY SERVICE IN THE MADISON AREA, A CENTER FOR RUNAWAYS IN THE MIDWEST. THE FORMER RUNAWAYS WERE GENERALLY VERY PLEASED WITH SERVICES RECEIVED. THE PROGRAM HAS DEMONSTRATED AN OUTSTANDING CAPACITY TO ATTRACT VOLUNTEERS, AND BOTH THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEER COUNSELORS INTERVIEWED AND OBSERVED APPEAR TO RELATE WELL TO YOUTH. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT BRIARPATCH'S FUNDING FROM THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE BE CONTINUED FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED IN THE AREAS OF COUNSELING SERVICES, INTERNAL OPERATIONS, VISIBILITY OF SERVICES, AND FUNDING. FORMS AND DATA FROM THE EVALUATION ARE PROVIDED.