NCJ Number
76799
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the strategies used by the South Carolina Department of Youth Services in creating and managing a juvenile delinquency prevention program, using mass media.
Abstract
After extensive research into delinquency prevention concepts and methodology nationwide, the department selected several project areas to inoculate children at risk of becoming delinquent. These included a public awareness campaign using a media approach; State, regional, and local workshops and conferences addressing specific issues and problem areas; and advocacy and technical assistance to nongovernmental organizations developing programs and services for youth. The public awareness effort, however, quickly became the centerpiece for the initiative. The primary messages used in the public awareness program are that juvenile delinquency is a serious and complex problem; government programs alone cannot solve it; no pat answers or solutions to juvenile delinquency exist but those that do lie within the home and community; and individuals must examine their family and community relationships -- and must then become involved. The program is mainly directed to parents, but teachers, court officials, politicians, and others are also included as well as the children themselves. The public awareness program components include a 20-minute, 16-millimeter film; a flyer about the film; two television and two radio public service announcements; a brochure; three posters (two directed to parents and one to children); and a pledge sheet. As part of the program implementation process, a survey was conducted using a consumer panel of nearly 800 persons representative of the State population. A followup survey of the dame panel will be conducted as part of the evaluation process.