Juvenile Structured Day and Alternative Learning Programs: Impact and Process Study

• NCJ Number: 212296
• Author(s): Jim Fraser Dr.
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2004-BJ-CX-K010
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS); North Carolina Criminal Justice Analysis Ctr
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Urban and Regional Studies
• Sale Source: North Carolina Criminal Justice Analysis Ctr
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From SystemStats Fall 2005.

Annotation

This paper presents the results of a study by the University of North Carolina’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies on the effectiveness and impact of Juvenile Structure Day Programs (JSDPs) and Alternative Learning Programs (ALPs) on at-risk youth, their families, and their communities.

Abstract

Alternative Learning Programs (ALPs) and Juvenile Structure Day Programs (JSDPs) are developed separate educational situations for at-risk and troubled students. They are designed to offer a variety of different learning possibilities to students who have not been successful in the traditional classroom setting. North Carolina currently maintains 215 ALPs and approximately 24 JSDPs. An 18-month study was conducted by the University of North Carolina’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies of 11 JSDPs and ALPs for the Governor’s Crime Commission. The intent was to learn more about the impact of JSDPs and ALPs on at-risk youth, their families, and communities, as well as to better understand the institutional and programmatic characteristics of these programs. This paper presents the results of this study which indicate that JSDPs/ALPs can be effective, community-based interventions that redirect youth away from further contact with the juvenile justice system. The paper presents lessons learned and policy recommendations based on the study.