NCJ Number
207031
Date Published
March 2004
Length
216 pages
Annotation
After describing San Diego County's program called PATHWAYS to Tolerance, this report presents the methodology and preliminary findings from process and impact evaluations of the program.
Abstract
The program used a psycho-educational format to teach tolerance to youth and young adults who were at risk of committing a hate crime or bias-motivated offense. Participants were selected because they manifested discriminatory attitudes or had committed either a hate crime or a bias-motivated offense. The 12-week group therapy program synthesized education with cognitive-behavioral, experiential, and self-analysis intervention designed to change attitudes and behavior. The program began on September 25, 2002. Since then, 10 12-week sessions have started, and 9 have been completed. The program has served 62 youth, 38 less than the 100 promised in the grant proposal. The evaluation documented program implementation through observation at Steering Committee meetings; a survey of program staff and key community leaders; and case studies of selected participants. The impact evaluation used a 6-month follow-up after program completion. The process evaluation found that the program was implemented as intended for the designated client population. Approximately 75 percent of the participants completed the program. The impact evaluation showed that the recidivism rate was low for the program period and the 6-month follow-up, with no youth committing hate crimes or bias-motivated crimes. Posttest scores compared with pretest scores showed an increase in knowledge intended by the program. Risk factors were lower at exit than at intake. Research limitations included a small sample size and the unavailability of data on clients who did not complete the program. 3 tables, 26 figures, 12 references, and appended program curriculum and data collection instruments