NCJ Number
87568
Date Published
1981
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This review of the juvenile-delinquency-prevention work of the Consortium for Youth of South Central Connecticut focuses on such goals as youth advocacy, capability-building, networking, and community resource development.
Abstract
Two field surveys revealed the uniqueness and complexity of nine target communities' pattern of youth problems, needs, and resources. The communities included New Haven, Meriden, Derby, West Haven, Ansonia, East Haven, Milford, Wallingford, and Hamden. Early program objectives were (1) provision of direct services to youth and families; (2) enhancement of the capacity for interagency coordination and collaboration; and (3) community participation and input by youth and adults in the planning and program implementation. Although the target population and basic program goal -- the application of varied approaches to the prevention of juvenile delinquency -- did not change, the scope and magnitude of the project increased dramatically, especially after the first year. During the first year, the delivery of services was emphasized and was essentially the responsibility of the 28 public and private nonprofit agencies under contract to the Consortium; however, during the second year, the initial direct-service focus shifted to the more global concerns of capacity-building, community organization, advocacy, and program development activity. The third year focused on the support, expansion, and encouragement of the institutionalization of programs emphasizing positive youth development while promoting community development activities to sustain such operations in the future. Included are an excerpt from a final assessment by an independent evaluator, a statement of progress as of the fourth quarter of the fourth year (the last year of the project), and the proceedings and recommendations of a conference on community development and advocacy. The purpose of each program associated with the project is briefly described in tabular form.