DIAGNOSTIC STUDY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICES PROGRAM - FINAL REPORT

• NCJ Number: 67908
• Author(s): R L SPANGENBERG; L R STUDEN; D A DAY
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 199 pages
• Corporate Author: Abt Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE REPORT EXAMINES MASSACHUSETTS' PROGRAM FOR STATUS OFFENDER DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION AND TREATMENT IN TERMS OF CLIENT CHARACTERISTICS, PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION, LEGAL PROBLEMS, USE OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND COSTS.

Abstract

THE PROGRAM RESULTED FROM LEGISLATION PASSED IN 1973. THE LEGISLATION AIMED (1) TO SEPARATE STATUS OFFENDERS FROM JUVENILE DELINQUENTS BY DECRIMINALIZING STATUS OFFENSES; (2) TO DEAL INFORMALLY WITH STATUS OFFENDERS, ESPECIALLY THROUGH USE OF SHORT-TERM SOCIAL SERVICES; AND (3) TO PLACE RESPONSIBILITY FOR STATUS OFFENDERS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE. SINCE ESTABLISHMENT, THE PROGRAM HAS EXPERIENCED PROGRAM DESIGN PROBLEMS. RESOURCE PROBLEMS, AND PROBLEMS OF LEGAL AMBIGUITIES. THE PRESENT STUDY WAS DESIGNED TO GENERATE RECOMMENDATIONS TO AMEND THE LEGISLATION TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. DATA WERE COLLECTED THROUGH COURT RECORDS, INTERVIEWS OF PROGRAM SUPERVISORS, A SURVEY OF COURT STAFF AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND RESEARCH OF THE PROGRAM'S LEGISLATIVE AND BUDGETARY HISTORY. RESULTS SHOWED THAT CLIENTS ARE USUALLY BETWEEN AGES 13 AND 16. JUST OVER HALF ARE FEMALES. MANY HAVE SERIOUS EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. LESS THAN 10 PERCENT HAVE MINORITY BACKGROUNDS. MOST TRUANTS ARE MALE; MOST RUNAWAYS ARE FEMALE. FORMAL PROCEEDINGS MAY BE DEVASTATING FOR THE CHILD BECAUSE THE PARENT IS OFTEN THE PETITIONER AND THE CHILD LACKS AN ADVOCATE. THE PROCESS IS MAINLY A COURT PROCESS AND HAS INVOLVED MORE CHILDREN THAN EXPECTED. DUE PROCESS RIGHTS ARE LOOSELY APPLIED. FREQUENTLY IDENTIFIED SOCIAL SERVICE GAPS INCLUDE A SHORT-TERM SECURE FACILITY, RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS, RESIDENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, FOSTER HOMES FOR ADOLESCENT FEMALES, BETTER FOSTER HOMES, FOSTER HOMES CLOSER TO THE CHILD'S NORMAL HOME, AND PSYCHIATRIC DIAGNOSTIC AND COUNSELING SERVICES. ANNUAL PROGRAM COST PER CHILD IS $1,279, EXCLUDING GROUP CARE. NUMEROUS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGING AGENCY POLICY OR PROCEDURES AND FOR NEW OR AMENDED LEGISLATION TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS ARE PRESENTED. FIGURES, TABLES, AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED.