NCJ Number
68893
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
FRIENDSHIP HOUSE, NEW HAMPSHIRE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER'S (YDC) FIRST COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL CENTER, HAS REACHED ITS GOALS IN ITS SECOND YEAR OF SERVING YDC YOUTHS.
Abstract
THE HOUSE IS DESIGNED TO SERVE 17 BOYS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 17 WHO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO THE YDC FOR THE TERM OF THEIR MINORITY. THE HOUSE USES A TREATMENT PLAN OF GUIDED GROUP INTERACTION, REALITY THERAPY, AND POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE; ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND REQUIRES EITHER SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OR GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT. DURING 1976-77, NEW INTAKE PROCEDURES WERE IMPLEMENTED, WITH RESIDENTS BEING ACCEPTED ON THE BASIS OF EDUCATIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST RESULTS. TREATMENT ACTIVITIES REMAINED ABOUT THE SAME, ALTHOUGH MORE EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE COUNSELING. NO REPORT OF STAFF TURNOVER WAS MADE, AND TRAINING WAS BEING CONDUCTED ACCORDING WITH THE ESTABLISHED YDC PROGRAMS. COMMUNITY SUPPORT WAS STILL STRONG, WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE CITY CONTINUING TO PROVIDE MANY SERVICES. ALL SERVICES AND FACILITIES WERE PROVIDED WITHOUT CHARGE AND THE PHYSICAL FACILITY WAS MAINTAINED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THREE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE YEAR BEFORE WERE IMPLEMENTED, INCLUDING ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTAKE AND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, DISCONTINUATION OF THE TRIAL PERIOD OF RESIDENT ENTRANCE INTO THE PROGRAM, AND REDUCTION OF THE RESIDENT LENGTH OF STAY. DURING THE YEAR, THE PROGRAM GRADUATED 30 RESIDENTS AND EXPERIENCED ONLY A 7 PERCENT RECIDIVISM RATE. RENEWAL FUNDING IS THEREFORE REQUESTED. NEVERTHELESS, DESPITE ALL OTHER PROGRAM SUCCESSES, THERE WAS DIFFICULTY IN COLLECTING RESIDENT DATA, AS THERE IS NO SYSTEM TO REFLECT THE FLOW OF RESIDENTS WITHIN THE PROGRAM AND OTHER PERTINENT DATA. A FORM IS APPENDED THAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR USE BY PROJECT STAFF FOR DATA COLLECTION PURPOSES.