PEER GROUP COUNSELING - A SCHOOL BASED JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 36621
• Author(s): R G BOEHM
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 92 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76-JS-99-0002
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Gateway Information Systems, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EVALUATION REPORT ON A PROGRAM TO DIVERT JUVENILES FROM FURTHER INVOLVEMENT OR FUTURE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OR DRUGS THROUGH THE USE OF DAILY PEER GROUP MEETINGS IN 11 SCHOOLS.

Abstract

THESE 11 ROCK ISLAND (IL) SCHOOLS CONSIST OF A HIGH SCHOOL, FOUR JUNIOR HIGHS, AND SIX ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THE GROUPS ARE COMPRISED OF THE NATURAL LEADERS IN EACH SCHOOL. PARTICULAR EFFORT IS MADE TO INVOLVE STUDENTS WHO ARE USING THEIR LEADERSHIP ABILITIES IN A HARMFUL WAY. OTHER, MORE PASSIVE STUDENTS MAY BE ADDED WHO ARE IN NEED OF REDIRECTION OR BASIC VALUES CLARIFICATION. ALTHOUGH THE CORE OF THE GROUP CONSISTS OF STUDENTS WHO ATTEND MEETINGS FULL-TIME, OTHERS ATTEND ON A PART-TIME BASIS OFTEN TO DEAL WITH A SPECIFIC PROBLEM. A CENTER FOR YOUTH SERVICES GROUP LEADER IS ALSO PRESENT AT THE MEETINGS. THE EVALUATION CONSISTS OF MEASUREMENTS OF THE BEHAVIORAL AND ATTITUDINAL IMPACTS OF THE PROGRAM ON STUDENT PARTICIPANTS AND OF OBSERVERS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE VALUE OF THE PROGRAM.