New Directions in Youth Services - Experiences With State-Level Coordination

• NCJ Number: 92927
• Author(s): R O'Connor; N Albrecht; B Cohen; L Newquist-Carroll
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 151 pages
• Grant Number(s): J-JSIA-0006-82
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP); US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Corporate Author: SRA Corporation
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This monograph analyzes theoretical and practical issues relating to State coordination of youth programs, identifies States with some level of youth services coordination, and presents four case studies to demonstrate diverse types of State coordination mechanisms.

Abstract

Coordination of State youth services has received increased attention due to budget restrictions, reorganization of categorical programs into block grants, and Federal laws encouraging coordination. A literature review indicates that most researchers have concluded there is no best approach to coordination, but different approaches may be preferred depending on the political and economic contexts, major actors involved, past efforts, and the task at hand. The next section presents the results of a national survey of 60 organizations identified as performing coordination of youth programs in the States. In general, these organizations reported fairly high levels of executive support and formal participation in the coordination mechanism by corrections, child welfare, and education agencies. Most said they focused on policy coordination and information exchange. Problems centered on turf issues, lack of statutory authority, and insufficient funding. However, many agencies reported success and expressed enthusiasm about the benefits of coordination once the pieces fell into place. The four case studies of New York, North Carolina, Alabama, and Maryland represent four basic categories of coordinating mechanisms: the cabinet-level interagency mechanism, the Governor's Commission on Youth, the State Advisory Group, and the integrated Department of Youth Services. Each case study covers the program's background and history, State youth services organization structure, the coordinating mechanisms, and a summary of the system and its effectiveness. The final chapter highlights apparent keys to success and suggests future directions for coordination efforts. The appendix includes the questionnaire and a list of respondents. Diagrams and tables are supplied.