NCJ Number
136394
Date Published
1990
Length
242 pages
Annotation
The chief purpose of this research was to determine whether the community-based youth service system (CBYS) of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Service diverted certain status offenders and problem youth from the juvenile justice system and the child welfare system in Illinois.
Abstract
The research focused primarily on the diversion of youth from the juvenile justice system and secondarily on diversion from the child welfare system. The CBYS evaluation indicated that contacts with the juvenile justice system were drastically reduced, more extensive and comprehensive community-based services were possible, and a local agency or board system was established to generate distinctive service patterns to meet the local needs of status offenders and other troubled youth. In other words, the major social reform goals of deinstitutionalization and diversion of status offenders were largely achieved in Illinois as a direct result of legislative mandate. The goal of reduced later contact or penetration into the juvenile justice system and more recently into the child welfare system was not achieved. Mixed effects of the CBYS program were attributed to two sets of probably interrelated factors: reluctance of the juvenile justice and child welfare systems to share interest in and control of troubled youth; and limited ability of local community-based social service systems to produce effective short-term means for dealing with status offenders. The research is based on a sample of 2,003 youth from six Illinois counties. Characteristics of the sample are described along with specific youth services, and CBYS program outcomes are detailed. Recommendations to help identify and meet the needs of program youth are offered. Supplemental data on the research findings are appended. References, tables, and figures