NCJ Number
43619
Date Published
1977
Length
83 pages
Annotation
A STRUCTURAL EVALUATION AND AN IMPACT EVALUATION OF A 15-BED COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER FOR MALE AND FEMALE JUVENILE OFFENDERS LOCATED IN DOVER, ARE PRESENTED. EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT IS EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
THE DOVER PROJECT IS COMPRISED OF TWO SETS OF PHYSICAL FACILITIES, A 15-BED HOUSING AND FEEDING FACILITY AND THE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION CENTER. THE THEORY BEHIND THIS COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT CENTER FOR 14 TO 17-YEAR-OLD JUVENILES, WHOSE PROBLEMS ARE PRIMARILY EDUCATIONAL RATHER THAN BEHAVIORAL, IS THAT INTENSIVE REMEDIAL WORK LEADING TO HIGH-SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATE WILL ENABLE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BREAK THE CRIME CYCLE. EVALUATION COVERS THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 1976, TO MARCH 30, 1977. THE STRUCTURAL EVALUATION FOUND THAT WHEN NONRESIDENT YOUTHS WERE ACCEPTED INTO THE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION CENTER, THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT BEGAN TO MAKE A GREAT MANY INAPPROPRIATE REFERRALS. FORTY PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING. AS A RESULT, MAJOR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS WERE INCLUDED IN THE EDUCATIONAL SETTING, DISRUPTING AND DEFEATING A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROGRAM: (1) SET UP FIRM TESTING CRITERIA TO SCREEN OUT RETARDED INDIVIDUALS, THOSE WITH SEVERE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, AND OTHERS IT CANNOT HELP; AND (2) THAT THE PROGRAM ADVERTISE ITS SERVICES TO SCHOOL AND COURT OFFICIALS TO SECURE APPROPRIATE CLIENTS. 'APPROPRIATE CLIENTS' ARE DEFINED AS YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DELINQUENCY CYCLE WHO ARE SEVERELY DEFICIENT IN EDUCATIONAL SKILLS AND WHO CAN BE HELPED BY INTENSIVE REMEDIAL AND COUNSELING INTERVENTION. THE IMPACT EVALUATION SHOWED THAT READING, MATH, AND ENGLISH LEVELS OF THE 26 STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM ARE BEING RAISED. MEAN GAIN HAS BEEN 2.03 GRADE LEVELS, AND MEAN TIME SPENT IN INSTRUCTION HAS BEEN 55 DAYS. THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE IN IMPROVEMENT BETWEEN RESIDENT STUDENTS AND DAY STUDENTS. THE GOAL, THEREFORE, OF INCREASING ABILITY ONE FULL GRADE LEVEL EVERY 3 MONTHS IS BEING MET. THE GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS ARE SEEN AS EFFECTIVE BUT THE PROGRAM TO INVOLVE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE JUVENILES IS FLOUNDERING.