OKLAHOMA'S PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS (FROM WHO CAN HELP? - PROCEEDINGS OF A CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN HELPING JUVENILE OFFENDERS, 1974 - SEE NCJ-55758)

• NCJ Number: 55768
• Author(s): H H DONAHUE
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 14 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: Arthur D Little, Inc; Plog Research Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1969 OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY TREATMENT AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN OKLAHOMA IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

SINCE 1969, 52 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROJECTS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED IN OKLAHOMA THROUGH LEAA FUNDS PROCESSED THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA CRIME COMMISSION. INTEGRATED PLANNING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE OKLAHOMA CRIME COMMISSION, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INSTITUTIONS, SOCIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, AS WELL AS OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES HAS RESULTED IN A COMBINED, COORDINATED PROGRAM OF IMPLEMENTATION, HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY THE MODERN CONCEPTS OF THE FIELDS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE. THE CONTINUUM DEVELOPED INCLUDES SERVICES TO PREVENT DELINQUENCY, SYSTEMS TO DIVERT PROBLEM-PRONE YOUTH AND HIGH-RISK POPULATIONS FROM INVOLVEMENT IN THE JUSTICE PROCESS, SERVICES TO ROUTE THOSE YOUTHS NOT REQUIRING AUTHORITATIVE ACTION OUT OF THE SYSTEM AT POLICE AND COURT INTAKE POINTS, AND SERVICES TO REHABILITATE OR BETTER INTEGRATE ADJUDICATED DELINQUENTS INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE COUNTY PROGRAMS DESCRIBED IN SOME DETAIL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1) A YOUTH SERVICE CENTER WHICH FURNISHES SHELTER CARE INSTEAD OF JAIL FOR JUVENILES, WITH INDIVIDUAL CASEWORK, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING, TUTORING, AND A BIG BROTHER PROGRAM, AND ALSO PROVIDES A HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS; (2) PREVENTION AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS FOCUSING UPON SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF MINORITY YOUTHS, HIGH-RISK AREAS, SCHOOL DROPOUTS, POLICE DIVERSION, AND CENTRAL INTAKE AND REFERRAL BUREAUS FOR CHILDREN; (3) A DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ACADEMIC SKILLS AND SELF-CONCEPTS OF INDIAN YOUTHS; AND (4) A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR PREGNANT GIRLS PUSHED OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THEIR PREGNANCY. SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING OVERALL JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT APPROACHES IN OKLAHOMA ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. A MAP IS PROVIDED TO SHOW THE COUNTIES WHERE PROGRAMS ARE IN OPERATION. (RCB)