NCJ Number
48979
Date Published
1975
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A JUVENILE DELINQUENCY DIVERSION PROGRAM SERVING A LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD OF BROOKLYN, N.Y., IS DESCRIBED, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION FINDINGS ARE SUMMARIZED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM, OPERATED IN THE BEDFORD-STUYVESANT SECTION OF BROOKLYN BY THE WILTWYCK SCHOOL, WAS DESIGNED TO MEET THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF BLACK CHILDREN AGED 10-15 WHO HAD COME TO THE ATTENTION OF SCHOOL OR LEGAL AUTHORITIES. THE MAJOR PROGRAM COMPONENT WAS AN ALL-DAY SUPERVISION PROGRAM WITH EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL, AND COUNSELING UNITS. TREATMENT MODALITIES INCLUDED GROUP COUNSELING BY TEAMS OF COMMUNITY CARE WORKERS AND AIDES, A STATUS GROUP BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUE, TEAM CONFERENCES, AND FAMILY INTERVENTION. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE PROGRAM RELATED TO RELATIONSHIPS AMONG TEACHING, SOCIAL SERVICE, AND RECREATIONAL STAFF AND BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL AND PARAPROFESSIONAL STAFF, AND CONFUSION OVER PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY. THE PROGRAM WAS EVALUATED IN TERMS OF ITS IMPACT ON THE NUMBER OF OFFENSES COMMITTED BY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, AS WELL AS PARENTS' AND CLIENTS' OPINIONS OF THE PROGRAM. FEW YOUTHS HAD ANY CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AT ANY TIME DURING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM OR WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER THEY HAD LEFT THE PROGRAM. CLIENTS AND PARENTS GENERALLY WERE VERY POSITIVE IN THEIR RATINGS OF THE PROGRAM. IMPLICATIONS OF EVALUATION FINDINGS ARE NOTED. NO SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)