NCJ Number
68370
Journal
Personnel and Guidance Journal Volume: 57 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 194-197
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
JUVENILE OFFENDERS' COMPLEX PROBLEMS REQUIRE A MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO TREATMENT INCLUDING BEHAVIOR ADJUSTMENT, GROWTH COUNSELING, CHILD ADVOCACY, AND SOCIAL CHANGE.
Abstract
MEETING THE INTERWOVEN PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS OF DELINQUENT YOUNGSTERS INVOLVES FOUR DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT FUNCTIONS. FIRST, CHILDREN MUST BE TAUGHT TO ADJUST TO REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS AND TO ACCOMMODATE SPECIFIC STANDARDS OF CONDUCT. SECOND COUNSELING MUST BE OFFERED THAT RELIEVES PERVASIVE FEELINGS OF WORTHLESSNESS, FAILURE, AND BITTERNESS AND THAT ENHANCES AN INDIVIDUAL'S GROWTH TOWARD PRODUCTIVE AND ATTAINABLE SELF-EXPRESSION. THIRD, EFFECTIVE CHILD ADVOCACY IS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS CANNOT OR WILL NOT STAND UP FOR THEM AND TO SEE THAT YOUNGSTERS RECEIVE THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED FOR THEM. FOURTH, WAYS MUST BE FOUND TO GEAR HOMES, SCHOOL, INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, THE COURT SYSTEM, AND THE PRIVATE CHARITY TOWARD HELPING THE UNSOCIALIZED CHILD. WHEN COUNSELING AND PROBATION AGENCIES COORDINATE THEIR EFFORTS, SUCH TREATMENT ASSISTANCE IS MAXIMIZED. PROBATION COUNSELORS ASSUME THE ROLE OF REASONABLE BUT FIRM GUARDIANS, IN KEEPING WITH THE SPIRIT OF PARENS PATRIAE. THEY LISTEN, COMMUNICATE UNDERSTANDING, FACILITATE THE CHILD'S GROWTH, ACTING PRIMARILY TO ESTABLISH BEHAVIORAL LIMITS, ENSURE LEGAL RIGHTS, AND ARRANGE SOCIAL SERVICES WHEN NECESSARY. WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A NONTHREATENING TRUST RELATIONSHIP, THE COUNSELOR THEN DIRECTS ATTENTION TO THE CHILD'S PERCEPTUAL EXPERIENCE AND SHOWS HOW THIS EXPERIENCE MAY BE TRANSLATED INTO EFFECTIVE LIVING. THE COUNSELOR IS ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE CHILD'S PRESSING ADJUSTMENT AND ADVOCACY NEED BE DEALS WITH THEM IN A MANNER THAT DOES NOT OVERRIDE THE CLIENT'S TRUST AND SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. BOTH AGENCIES WORK TO BRING ABOUT CHANGES IN THE INSTITUTIONS THAT HANDLE THEIR CLIENTS AND TO IMPROVE THE SOCIETIES FROM WHICH THESE CHILDREN EMERGE. COORDINATION OF TREATMENT THUS CAN REDUCE OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT AND RENDER THE TREATMENT APPROACH MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE. SUCH A PROGRAM, PROJECT CREST WAS SHOWN TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN FLORIDA. ABOUT 40 REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.