NCJ Number
170099
Date Published
1998
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This chapter describes how community organization approaches to delinquency prevention were developed out of an ecological model and opportunity theory.
Abstract
The chapter presents the objectives and accomplishments of several of the most widely known examples of a coordinated community program aimed at both reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency: the Chicago Area Project, New York City's Mobilization for Youth, and Boston's Midcity Project. The chapter examines the modern-day version of a coordinating council, the youth service bureau, and discusses the goals, funding sources, organizational structure and staffing patterns, and the youth development and delinquency prevention activities common to youth service bureaus. Delinquency prevention strategies should involve neighborhood residents and professional social workers to provide care and services to children and youth before they become serious and chronic offenders. Prevention efforts should also provide individual and family counseling, job training, and school remediation programs. The chapter includes discussion questions based on the information presented. References