NCJ Number
163897
Journal
Prosecutor Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: (July/August 1996) Pages: 24,26-29
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Focusing on the group of 75-100 delinquents under 10 years of age, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office (Minnesota) is working with other government agencies and community groups to create an intensive, specialized approach that provides a strong network of support for each individual child that focuses on the child's long-term success.
Abstract
Unlike the system of categorical services, the intervention will aim to achieve prescribed basic outcomes related to the child's well-being. Examples of basic outcomes are no delinquent or criminal behavior, school success, positive interaction with other children and adults, respect for authority, and a capacity for healthy regard for others. There will be three layers of support for each child. The first involves a network of individual mentors. The primary mentor will be someone with whom the child has an existing positive relationship. In addition, each child will have a secondary mentor, who may not be previously known to the child; the secondary mentor will offer experiences outside of the child's community. The second layer of support will involve resources in the child's community to help support both the child and the child's family. Among other opportunities, this support network will provide the opportunity for a child to participate in some extra-educational activity. The third layer of support will involve public agencies. Since most of the children come from families who are heavy consumers of public social, health, and economic services, there must be coordination and integration of these services for the children in targeted early intervention and their families. 11 notes