NCJ Number
57216
Date Published
1977
Length
35 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT OUTLINES A 1977 MEETING OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE CONVENED TO FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION ON YOUTH ADVISORY SERVICES.
Abstract
THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY 13 TEMPORARY ADVISORS FROM 10 COUNTRIES AND INCLUDED PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATORS, PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIOLOGISTS, LAWYERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHERS CONCERNED WITH YOUTH ADVISORY SERVICES. SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THE CHANGING ROLE AND OBJECTIVES OF YOUTH ADVISORY SERVICES TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY OFFERED POSSIBILITIES FOR PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF YOUTH PROBLEMS. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED INCLUDED THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN YOUTH SERVICES, STATUTORY AND NON-STATUTORY SERVICES, NATIONAL COORDINATING ORGANIZATIONS, METHODS OF INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT OF YOUTH PROBLEMS (COUNSELING, CRISIS INTERVENTION, FAMILY THERAPY) AND GUIDELINES FOR SERVICES TO FOLLOW. GUIDES FOR DEVELOPING YOUTH SERVICES WERE OUTLINED INCLUDING ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION, COORDINATION BETWEEN SERVICES, STAFFING, TRAINING AND SUPPORT. SINCE YOUTH SERVICES FUNCTION UNDER CONSIDERABLE CONSTRAINTS, THE PROBLEMS WERE EXAMINED. THEY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: COMPLEXITY OF INTERVENTIONS, INSUFFICIENCY OF COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION; LACK OF COST/EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS; DIFFICULTIES IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH AND IN TRAINING AND EDUCATING OF STAFF. IT WAS ALSO FELT THAT ADMINISTRATIVELY THE SERVICES SUFFERED FROM RIGIDITY, CATEGORIZATION, DIFFICULTY OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN ADMINISTRATORS AND SERVICES AND SOCIETY AND YOUTH PROFESSIONS. RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE THAT YOUTH ADVISORY SERVICES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THESE POLICIES. AT THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SHOULD BE IMPROVED, AS SHOULD EVALUATIVE TECHNIQUES AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES AT ALL LEVELS. (MJW)