NCJ Number
197635
Date Published
2002
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This document discusses the evaluation of the Imperial County, (Calfornia) SafeFutures program.
Abstract
The SafeFutures program is a service delivery system for at-risk and delinquent juveniles and their families that is capable of responding to their needs at any point of entry into that system. The Imperial County SafeFutures program focused attention on the county’s north end including the city of Brawley. The Brawley Family Resource Center is a direct product of the SafeFutures grant. Countywide systems change has developed from the grant work begun in north Imperial County under the auspices of the SafeFutures grant program. The program enabled outcomes in various areas and provided much important learning to participant organizations. It has changed the way organizations interact, conduct business with one another, and how they deliver services to clients at the local level. There were lessons learned from two different perspectives. One was the organizational perspective that included collaborative development, policy, communications, procedures, and implementation. The second was the perspective of the individual service delivery professionals working with clients in the field. This provided an indication of how service delivery within the SafeFutures model has changed for both these professionals and their clients. This program has allowed individuals with different organizational allegiances to learn about each other’s policies, procedures, and constraints. The growth of common understanding has led to networking and informal discussions about mutual problem solving. Front line service delivery professionals found the Brawley Family Resource Center model an excellent environment in which to work with clients. They are able to immediately consult with colleagues about client situations; direct and introduce clients to an individual that can help them; and are relatively sure that clients will keep appointments and follow through to obtain services. They also report that they are able to effectively handle a larger caseload in this organizational structure.