NCJ Number
144474
Date Published
1993
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The Oakland County, Michigan, Probate Court's training program for parents of juvenile delinquents is known as CHOICE (Court Help on Increasing Control and Effectiveness).
Abstract
The CHOICE program is for parents of delinquents placed on intensive probation. Young people and their parents receive intensive services to help teenagers avoid more delinquency, court appearances, and community services. The program's goal is to train parents to use more appropriate discipline and child management skills. The program recognizes that parents of delinquents often feel out of control and also that parents ordered into a parent training program are defensive, frequently deny their need for parenting help, and tend to blame their children for acting out problems. The program strives to help parents find a place where they can feel comfortable enough to talk about their concerns but also attempts to establish an atmosphere conducive to learning. Parents are given homework assignments over the 8-week program period that focus on why children have problem behavior, the role of parental criticism, encouraging appropriate behavior using rewards and privileges, communicating expectations, and effective punishment. Of 142 parents attending at least one program session in 1992, more than 100 (70 percent) attended at least half of the sessions, and 55 attended most sessions. Over the 8 weeks, parents of delinquent adolescents became more involved in social and recreational activities with their children. Attachments contain the initial program letter to parents, a parent flier, a sample notebook of parenting materials, and a program satisfaction questionnaire.