NCJ Number
15659
Date Published
1974
Length
21 pages
Annotation
A YOUTH ADVOCATE IS A CERTIFIED TEACHER OR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER, SPECIALLY TRAINED TO PERFORM A NEW ROLE IN THE SCHOOL, THAT OF AIDING A DELINQUENT'S TRANSITION FROM A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Abstract
THE MINNESOTA METROPOLITAN YOUTH ADVOCATE CORPS IN 1972-1973 CONSISTED OF 25 ADVOCATES IN SELECTED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF MINNEAPOLIS, ST PAUL AND DULUTH. EACH ADVOCATE IS ASSIGNED TO A HOME-BASE SCHOOL, WHERE THE ADVOCATE IS A FULL-TIME MEMBER OF THAT SCHOOL'S STAFF. THE PRESCRIBED ROLE OF THE YOUTH ADVOCATE, OUTLINED IN GRANT PROPOSALS, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: VISITING THE DELINQUENT IN THE INSTITUTION; ENCOURAGING THE YOUTH TO INCLUDE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AS PART OF HIS/HER POST-RELEASE PLANS; COORDINATING THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM PLANNING FOR THE YOUTH RETURNING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL; OFFERING COUNSELING AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO THE RETURNEE ATTENDING SCHOOL; AIDING THE RETURNEE IN DEALINGS WITH ADULTS AND SOCIAL AGENCIES; HELPING THE RETURNEE FIND EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. THIS EVALUATION STUDIED THE WORK OF ADVOCATES WITH RETURNEES, SINCE RETURNEES HAVE BEEN THE PRIMARY TARGET POPULATION OF THE PROGRAM. A RESEARCH FOLLOW-UP WAS CONDUCTED ON 216 RETURNEES ELIGIBLE FOR ADVOCATE SERVICE AND ON A COMPARISON GROUP OF 40 RETURNEES TO SCHOOL AREAS NOT SERVED BY ADVOCATES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...TL