COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

• NCJ Number: 61113
• Journal: Child Welfare Volume: 57 Issue: 10 Dated: (1978) Pages: 675-684
• Author(s): J C LEWIS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Welfare League of America (CWLA)
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE CWLA CENTRAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE AT PITTSBURGH, 1978

Annotation

A BATTERY OF COMMUNITY-BASED DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY THE STATE OF KENTUCKY ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE ENTIRE SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR JUVENILES IS TO ASSIST EACH CHILD IN HIS OR HER OWN HOME. THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE TREATMENT APPROPRIATE TO EACH CASE IS USED. IN 1977, THE STATE BEGAN A TRUANCY PREVENTION PILOT PROJECT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. STUDENTS FREQUENTLY ABSENT FROM SCHOOL WITHOUT GOOD REASON ARE REFERRED TO JUVENILE COURT AUTHORITIES BY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND COME TO THE PROJECT ON REFERRAL FROM THE COURT. THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT, WHICH INVOLVES THE PARENTS OF EACH CHILD, IS TO GET THE CHILD BACK INTO THE REGULAR SCHOOL PROGRAM RAPIDLY, WITH FOLLOWUP SERVICES AS NEEDED. DAY TREATMENT IS A REHABILITATION APPROACH THAT USES REMEDIAL EDUCATION, COUNSELING, AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACH RECREATION DURING NORMAL SCHOOL HOURS. FAMILY COUNSELING AND THE PROVISION OF FOSTER HOMES OR GROUP HOMES ARE PART OF THIS PROGRAM. A SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE PROGRAM FOR EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED CHILDREN IS PROVIDED, WHICH INVOLVES INTENSIVE TRAINING OF THE FOSTER PARENTS. A PILOT PROJECT IS BEING DEVELOPED THAT WILL RECRUIT AND TRAIN FOSTER PARENTS AND SELECT STAFF TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH PHYSICAL HANDICAPS OR MENTAL RETARDATION. IN 1974, A SHIFT WAS MADE FROM THE FOSTER FAMILY-TYPE OF GROUP HOMES TO GROUP HOMES WITH A STRONG TREATMENT ORIENTATION INVOLVING THE USE OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES AIDES INSTEAD OF LIVE-IN HOUSEPARENTS. THE SOCIAL WORKER IS THE PRIMARY TREATMENT AGENT FOR THE RESIDENTS. SPECIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED FOR THE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF HYPERACTIVE YOUTH AND THOSE ACTING OUT EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES. COLLECTING OBJECTIVE, QUANTIFIABLE DATA FOR EVALUATING PROGRAMS IS DIFFICULT, BUT A STATEWIDE SURVEY INDICATED THAT NEARLY 80 PERCENT OF THE YOUTH WHO HAD PARTICIPATED IN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS DURING FISCAL YEAR 1972-73 HAD NOT BEE REINSTITUTIONALIZED TWO YEARS AFTER THEY WERE RELEASED TO THE COMMUNITY. THE 1976 KENTUCKY JUVENILE CRIME RATE WAS LESS THAN ONE-HALF THE NATIONAL RATE.