NCJ Number
68018
Date Published
1976
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES CONNECTICUT'S MUNICIPALLY BASED YOUTH SERVICE SYSTEM. DATA FROM 54 OF THE 55 PROGRAMS IN THE STATE ARE PRESENTED TO HELP EXPLAIN THE SYSTEM OPERATION.
Abstract
THE PROGRAMS, USUALLY CALLED YOUTH SERVICE BUREAUS YSB'S, PROVIDE SERVICES DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY AND FULFILL UNMET YOUTH NEEDS, PREVENT DELINQUENCY BY CREATING POSITIVE CONDITIONS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE, AND DIVERT YOUTH FROM THE FORMAL JUSTICE AND REHABILITATION SYSTEMS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF A NETWORK OF SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES. THE ANNUAL YSB BUDGET FOR CONNECTICUT IS $2.3 MILLION, OF WHICH ABOUT ONE-HALF COMES FROM MUNICIPAL FUNDS, ONE-THIRD FROM LEAA, AND THE REST FROM FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE SOURCES. BUREAUS HAVE AN AVERAGE OF 2.7 FULL-TIME PAID STAFF AND 1.4 PART-TIME PAID STAFF, AS WELL AS MANY VOLUNTEERS. DIRECT SERVICES INCLUDE COUNSELING, EMERGENCY SHELTER, LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING, AND VOLUNTEER POSITIONS. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR 47,000 CLIENTS ANNUALLY. OTHER DIRECT SERVICES INCLUDE TELEPHONE COUNSELING, RESOURCE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, AND CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. TOGETHER THEY SERVE A TOTAL OF OVER 54,000 CLIENTS ANNUALLY. COORDINATED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES OR AS A RESULT OF YSB STAFF PLANNING AND COORDINATION. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS INCLUDE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, SEMINARS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CITIZEN GROUPS. TABLES, CASE EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS, DESCRIPTIONS OF AGENCY STRUCTURES AND BOARDS, AGENCY STARTUP DATES, LEAA FUNDING INFORMATION, AND A MAP ARE INCLUDED.