NCJ Number
59083
Date Published
1978
Length
95 pages
Annotation
A STATEWIDE OVERVIEW AND SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE OF YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA FOR FISCAL YEAR 1977-1978 IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAMS DEALING WITH DETENTION, PROBATION AND AFTERCARE, AND COMMITMENT WERE EVALUATED TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND NEEDS, ASSIST MANAGEMENT IN MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS, ALLOW MANAGEMENT TO GAUGE PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY, AND INFORM EMPLOYEES AT ALL LEVELS OF ACCEPTABLE WORK STANDARDS. ADDITIONAL INDICATORS OF PROGRAM OPERATION WERE POPULATION PROFILES AND CLIENT MOVEMENT INFORMATION. FINDINGS INDICATED THAT THE SECURE DETENTION PROGRAM EXPERIENCED OVERCROWDING. ONE COMPONENT OF THE NONSECURE DETENTION PROGRAM HAD DIFFICULTIES IN CONTRACTING ALLOCATED BEDS AND KEEPING THEM OCCUPIED. YOUTH REMAINED ON PROBATION CASELOADS TOO LONG, AND THIS CAUSED HIGHER CASELOADS AND SERVICE DETERIORATION. FEMALES WERE NOT ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED IN SEVERAL LESS RESTRICTIVE PROGRAMS. THE NUMBER OF BLACKS IN CERTAIN PROGRAMS WAS SMALLER THAN EXPECTED BASED ON THE NUMBER OF BLACKS COMMITTED. FAMILY GROUP HOMES FOR NONCOMMITTED YOUTH WERE UNDERUTILIZED. SEVERAL PROGRAMS EXCEEDED THEIR BUDGETED LENGTHS OF STAY, AND FEW PROGRAMS MET THE STANDARD THAT 70 PERCENT OF ALL PROGRAM EXITS BE FURLOUGHS OR TRANSFERS TO LESS RESTRICTIVE SETTINGS. DATA ON THESE FLORIDA YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAMS ACCORDING TO POPULATION PROFILES, CLIENT MANAGEMENT-MOVEMENT, EFFECTIVENESS MEASURES, OUTCOMES, AND COSTS ARE TABULATED. (DEP)