NCJ Number
14886
Date Published
1973
Length
46 pages
Annotation
REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH, ALONG WITH A REASSESSMENT OF ITS CURRENT AND FUTURE CAPACITY TO MEET THESE RESPONSIBILITIES.
Abstract
A WORKING GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED TO CARRY OUT BASIC DATA GATHERING AND ANALYSIS. ITS INITIAL TASK WAS TO IDENTIFY AND DELINEATE THE DISTINCT CHILD AND YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE WORKING GROUP GATHERED BASIC DATA ON OBJECTIVE, ELIGIBILITY, CLIENT GROUP, INTAKE, TREATMENT, ORGANIZATION AND COST FOR EACH PROGRAM ON A UNIFORM BASIS. THE BASIC TECHNIQUE EMPLOYED BY THE WORKING GROUP WAS TO IDENTIFY THE MAJOR PROBLEM AREAS IN THE SERVICE SYSTEM AND TO MEASURE AGAINST THOSE PROBLEMS ALTERNATIVE ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORKS WITHIN WHICH, OVER TIME, THE PROBLEMS COULD BE RESOLVED. THE WORKING GROUP DEVOTED CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO THE DESIGN OF A CONCEPTUAL SYSTEM WITHIN WHICH POLICY GUIDELINES COULD BE DEVELOPED. THE SYSTEMS CONSIST OF FOUR MAJOR PROCESSES - PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT. SIX MAJOR PROBLEM AREAS WERE EMPHASIZED - TEMPORARY HOUSING, DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, FOSTER CARE, ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONAL CARE, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, AND DIRECT PREVENTION. THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERED THREE OPTIONAL APPROACHES TO THE NEED FOR A BETTER ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK. IT RECOMMENDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEPARTMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL ON CHILD AND YOUTH SERVICES WITH SPECIFICALLY DEFINED RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES. FOR THE APPENDIX TO THIS REPORT, SEE NCJ-14888.