NCJ Number
14203
Date Published
1973
Length
101 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIAL HISTORY, FAMILY BACKGROUND, AND TREATMENT NEEDS OF 431 CHILDREN BROUGHT BEFORE THE FAMILY COURT IN NEW YORK CITY, REVEALING THE FAILURE OF SOCIETY TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN.
Abstract
TO ASSESS THE SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN ALLEGED TO BE DELINQUENT OR IN NEED OF SUPERVISION, THE AUTHORS STATE THAT EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND AND SOCIAL INFORMATION MUST BE GATHERED. DURING THE WINTER OF 1973 A SURVEY OF CHILDREN WHOSE CASES CAME TO FINAL DISPOSITION FROM NOVEMBER 1972 TO JANUARY 1973 WAS CONDUCTED. THE INFORMATION GAINED FROM THE SURVEY DELINEATES THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM AND THE DEARTH OF SERVICES FOR COURT RELATED CHILDREN; THE INEQUITABLE MANNER IN WHICH THOSE SERVICES THAT EXIST ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN FROM THE VARIOUS ETHNIC GROUPS; AND THE HAPHAZARD FASHION IN WHICH SERVICES ARE ALLOCATED TO THE VARIOUS COUNTIES. THE AUTHORS STATE THAT THE INFORMATION PRESENTS A CHALLENGE TO THE COURT AND TO THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHILD CARE SECTORS AND THAT NEW SERVICES MUST BE DEVELOPED AND PROVIDED TO COURT RELATED CHILDREN, ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS AND WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONVENIENCE OR PREDILECTIONS OF SERVICE PROVIDERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)