NCJ Number
61803
Date Published
1978
Length
114 pages
Annotation
THE SECOND YEAR OF A PROJECT IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIF., TO PROVIDE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION, DIVERSION, AND REHABILITATION SERVICES AND INTEGRATE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM SERVICES IS EVALUATED.
Abstract
TO ACCOMPLISH ITS GOAL, PROJECT IMPACT (INTEGRATION METHODOLOGY FOR PLANNING AND COORDINATION TEAMWORK) ESTABLISHED TWO PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: (1) DEVELOP THE CAPACITY TO ORGANIZE, PLAN FOR, AND IMPLEMENT IMPROVEMENTS IN JUVENILE JUSTICE AND RELATED SERVICES WITHIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT; AND (2) COORDINATE COUNTY IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS WITH THE OVERALL JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM COMMUNITY, INCLUDING OTHER LOCAL JURISDICTIONS, COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCIES, AND RELATED FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS. DETERMINING THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON PLANNING AND ACTION EFFORTS OF DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICE AREAS COMPRISING LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS THE FOCUS OF A 2-YEAR EVALUATION EFFORT. EMPHASIS IN THE SECOND YEAR WAS PLACED ON DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF THE PROJECT AS A CATALYST FOR INTERDEPARTMENTAL PLANNING, PROBLEMSOLVING, AND JOINT DECISIONMAKING. PROJECT IMPACT COORDINATED THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PLANNING PROCESS THAT HAS THE CAPACITY TO CONCENTRATE AND LINK COUNTY RESOURCES IN RESPONSE TO JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROBLEMS. THE PROJECT DEMONSTRATED THAT THE CREATION OF TEMPORARY STAFF CAPABILITY IN A CENTRAL COUNTY OFFICE CAN STIMULATE LINKAGE ACTIVITIES AND IMPROVE A COUNTY'S CAPACITY TO PLAN FOR AND MANAGE SERVICE PROGRAMS COMPRISING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT LOS ANGELES COUNTY INSTITUTIONALIZE PROJECT IN A PERMANENT JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM PLANNING AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT STAFF UNIT; THAT THE COUNTY DEVISE MORE DEFINITIVE GUIDELINES THAT OUTLINE THE COUNTY'S POSITION REGARDING INTERAGENCY PLANNING, PROGRAMMING, AND COORDINATION; AND THAT THE COUNTY ASSESS ITS OPERATING STRUCTURE AND PLANNING PROCESS TO DETERMINE WHAT CHANGES, IF ANY, ARE NEEDED TO IMPROVE SERVICE EFFECTIVENESS. CHARTS AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED AND EVALUATION FORMS AND DATA ARE APPENDED. (DEP)