NCJ Number
65526
Date Published
1979
Length
86 pages
Annotation
THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE HISTORY, OPERATIONS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE FAMILY SHELTER CARE (FSC) PROJECT WHICH PROVIDED EMERGENCY AND SHORT TERM CARE FOR TROUBLED INDIAN YOUTHS IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
Abstract
ON SOUTH DAKOTA INDIAN RESERVATIONS, EMERGENCY FOSTER CARE WAS PRACTICALLY NONEXISTENT FOR PREDELINQUENT AND DELINQUENT TEENAGERS, AND INDIAN YOUTHS WERE OFTEN JAILED WITH ADULTS OR PLACED OUTSIDE THE RESERVATION. THE FSC TRAINED INDIAN PARENTS IN PARAPROFESSIONAL DIAGNOSTIC AND COUNSELING SKILLS SO THEY COULD PROVIDE THIS CARE IN A FAMILY ENVIRONMENT ON A TEMPORARY AND EMERGENCY BASIS. FSC ALSO PAID THE PARENTS A SALARY IN ADDITION TO BASIC FOSTER CARE PAYMENTS. THE FSC PROJECT WAS DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE MOUNTAIN PLAINS YOUTH SERVICES COALITION IN COOPERATION WITH THE SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES WITH LEAA FUNDS FOR DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION AND SEPARATION OF JUVENILES AND ADULTS. PARENTS HAD TO ATTEND TRAINING SESSIONS. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT WERE PROVIDED. TROUBLED INDIAN YOUTHS WERE REFERRED TO THE FSC AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO OTHER CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS OR WHEN MORE TIME WAS NEEDED FOR DIAGNOSIS. WHILE IN THE HOME, THE FSC PARENTS OBSERVE AND DIAGNOSE THE YOUTH'S NEEDS USING SPECIFIC MONITORING FORMS. WHEN THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT PLAN IS FINALIZED BY THE CASEWORKER, THE YOUTH LEAVES THE HOME. THE MAXIMUM STAY IS 45 DAYS, ALTHOUGH THIS CAN BE EXTENDED TO 90 DAYS WITH SPECIAL APPROVAL. IN 1 YEAR, THE PROJECT ESTABLISHED 7 HOMES ON 5 INDIAN RESERVATIONS AND TRAINED PARENTS WHO BECAME A GENUINE ASSET IN THE CARE AND SUPERVISION OF PROBLEM JUVENILES. DURING THE FIRST YEAR, THE COST PER YOUTH PER DAY WAS ABOUT $20, BUT PROJECTED COSTS FOR THE SECOND YEAR ARE $16 PER DAY. IN THE NEXT PHASE, THE PROGRAM WILL TRY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES OFFERED TO YOUTHS. TABLES, DIAGRAMS, AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS ON ALL PHASES OF THE FSC PROJECT ARE PROVIDED, INCLUDING WORKSHOP AGENDAS AND EVALUATION FORMS. (MJM)