NCJ Number
52158
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THE COUNSELING PROGRAM OF A CALIFORNIA YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU IS DESCRIBED, AND DATA ON THE BUREAU'S REFERRALS, STAFFING AND BUDGET FOR THE JULY 1977 TO JUNE 1978 FISCAL YEAR ARE PROVIDED.
Abstract
THE PACIFICA YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU WAS SET UP JOINTLY BY THE CITY OF PACIFICA, JEFFERSON UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, LAGUNA SALADA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, AND THE SAN MATEO COUNTY DELINQUENCY PREVENTION COMMISSION. ITS GOALS ARE TO DIVERT YOUTH FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN A CONSTRUCTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER, TO PREVENT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, AND TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND INTERESTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE PACIFICA COMMUNITY. SINCE ITS BEGINNING IN 1969, THE BUREAU HAS HAD CONTACT WITH MORE THAN 2,300 FAMILIES. EACH CHILD AND FAMILY WAS SEEN AN AVERAGE OF FIVE TIMES FOR ABOUT 10 HOURS PER CASE. THE PRIMARY COUNSELING FUNCTIONS ARE CRISIS INTERVENTION AND BRIEF FAMILY THERAPY. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY AND EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION IN DISORDERED BEHAVIOR, WHICH IS NEEDED TO MAKE APPROPRIATE EVALUATION AND REFERRAL. TRAINING SESSIONS ARE ALSO CONDUCTED FOR OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS. AS PART OF A CONTINUING EFFORT TO PREVENT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND OTHER COMMUNITY PROBLEMS, THE COUNSELORS BECAME INVOLVED IN THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL ACTIVITIES: AN OPPORTUNITY CLASS, DESIGNED FOR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LACKING ACADEMIC SKILLS DUE TO BEHAVIOR AND PEER PROBLEMS; AND EDUCATIONAL HANDICAP CLASS, DESIGNED FOR PARENTS OF EDUCATIONALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN; AND A DIVORCE GROUP, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GROUP COUNSELING TO STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS ARE DIVORCED. THE 1977-1978 BUDGET WAS $94,026.57, AND THE SOURCES OF FUNDING AND EXPENSES ARE OUTLINED. (GLR)