NCJ Number
49429
Date Published
1974
Length
147 pages
Annotation
THE FEASIBILITY OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN PARAPROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEERS AND POLICE OFFICERS IN PROVIDING CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES TO FAMILIES INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES IS TESTED.
Abstract
IN THE PROGRAM DEMONSTRATED AND EVALUATED, OFFICERS OF THE GAINESVILLE (FLA.) POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO FAMILY DISTURBANCE CALLS AND PERFORMED THEIR STANDARD DUTIES. WITH THE FAMILY'S CONSENT, AND WHEN POLICE HAD DETERMINED THAT NO THREAT OF PHYSICAL HARM WAS INVOLVED, THE POLICE CALLED UPON A TEAM OF EXPERIENCED CRISIS WORKERS TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION SERVICES. OVER A 1-YEAR PERIOD. TWO INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH FAMILIES SEEN BY THE POLICE; ONE WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE DISTURBANCE AND ANOTHER 1 MONTH LATER. COMPLETE DATA OBTAINED FOR 16 PERCENT OF THE FAMILIES CONTACTED DURING THE YEAR WERE USED TO COMPARE FAMILIES RECEIVING POLICE INTERVENTION PLUS CRISIS INTERVENTION WITH THOSE RECEIVING ONLY POLICE INTERVENTION. THE TWO GROUPS WERE COMPARABLE ON A NUMBER OF DESCRIPTIVE AND DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES. HOWEVER, MORE WHITE FAMILIES THAN BLACK FAMILIES WERE REFERRED BY THE POLICE FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION, DESPITE THE FACT THAT LOCAL POLICE REPORTS INDICATE THAT BLACK FAMILIES ARE THE SOURCE OF THE MAJORITY OF FAMILY DISTURBANCES REQUIRING POLICE INTERVENTION. ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE FAMILIES INTERVIEWED WERE AWARE OF AND HAD ACCESS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, FEW WERE USING THESE RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH THEIR PROBLEMS. THE CRISIS INTERVENTION PROCEDURE HAD NO IMMEDIATELY MEASURABLE ADVANTAGES, BUT FOLLOWUP INTERVIEWS INDICATED THAT FAMILIES RECEIVING CRISIS INTERVENTION SURPASSED FAMILIES RECEIVING ONLY POLICE INTERVENTION ON TWO OF THREE MEASURES OF CRISIS RESOLUTION. POSSIBLE INTERVENING FACTORS ARE DISCUSSED, TOGETHER WITH IMPLICATIONS OF STUDY FINDINGS. COPIES OF STUDY INSTRUMENTS, SUPPORTING DATA, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)