NCJ Number
221344
Date Published
November 2004
Length
106 pages
Annotation
Results are presented from a two-stage methodological strategy studying the impact of Juvenile Structured Day Programs (JSDPs) and Alternative Learning Programs (ALPs) in North Carolina.
Abstract
Findings from the study point to three conclusions: (1) Juvenile Structured Day Programs (JSDPs) can fill an important gap in providing community-based services to adjudicated youth and youth at-risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system; (2) JSDPs can be cost-effective; and (3) because JSDPs vary in their levels of development, and for their continued growth and maintenance of the services they provide, they will need technical and economic resources from the State of North Carolina. After analysis of the study data, the lessons learned include: (1) JSDPs require more long-term and stable funding from the State in order for staff to focus on service delivery and not fund raising; (2) programs report that the development of a strong community collaborative is essential to the planning, maintenance, and growth of a JSDP; and (3) information sharing is critical for program success. The study results show that JSDPs can be effective, community-based interventions that redirect youth from further contact with the juvenile justice system toward becoming productive citizens. While the number of Alternative Learning Programs (ALPs) has grown nationwide, little is known about the impact of such programs, particularly JSDPs, on the students, families, and communities they serve. The University of North Carolina’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies conducted an 18-month study of 11 JSDPs and ALPs for the Governor’s Crime Commission, ultimately choosing 4 such programs for indepth study. The objective is to learn more about the impact of JSDPs/ALPs on at-risk and troubled youth. This study focused primarily on adjudicated youth. Tables, appendixes A-I and references