PHILADELPHIA - COURT OF COMMON PLEAS - FAMILY COURT DIVISION - SPECIAL SERVICES OFFICE - FINAL EVALUATION REPORT

• NCJ Number: 28016
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): PH-74-C-C02-5-266
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Governor's Justice Cmssn
• Corporate Author: Action Planning Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EVALUATION OF THE OFFICE'S IMPACT ON COURT OPERATIONS AND CLIENTS AND A REVIEW OF ITS COMPLIANCE WITH EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION GUIDELINES.

Abstract

THE ROLE OF THE SPECIAL SERVICE OFFICE IS TO INVOLVE CITIZEN-VOLUNTEERS IN ENHANCING CRITICAL AREAS OF FAMILY COURT SERVICES AND IN EXPANDING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT OF THE ROLE, FUNCTION, CLIENT NEEDS, AND SERVICES OF THE PHILADELPHIA FAMILY COURT. THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL SERVICES OFFICE DURING THE PERIOD EVALUATED (JULY 1974 TO FEBRUARY 1975) INCLUDE: AN INFORMATION UNIT REGARDING AVAILABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, A YOUTH EMPLOYMENT UNIT, A ONE-TO-ONE YOUTH-VOLUNTEER RELATIONSHIP UNIT (STEPS UNIT), OVERALL COORDINATION OF OFFICE ACTIVITIES, AND PROVISION OF SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES. THE SUBJECTIVE RESPONSE OF CLIENTS ALONG WITH A GROWING DEGREE OF CLIENT-INITIATED PARTICIPATION IN THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND STEPS ACTIVITIES (EVIDENCED BY SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVING ATTENDANCE RATES IN YOUTH EMPLOYMENT UNIT CLINICS AND STEPS MATCH AND GROUP ACTIVITIES), SUGGEST A POSITIVE PERCEPTION OF THE OFFICE ON THE PART OF PARTICIPATING COURT CLIENTS. A SERIES OF TEN INTERVIEWS WAS CONDUCTED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF COURT OFFICIALS. IN GENERAL, THESE INTERVIEWS REVEALED POSITIVE PICTURE OF THE OFFICE IN THEIR EYES AND SUGGESTED CONSIDERABLE IMPACT ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF COURT SERVICES, ESPECIALLY PRE-ADJUDICATION AND PROBATION SERVICES. THE IMPACT ON THESE SERVICES WAS MOST NOTICEABLY FELT AS A RESULT OF THE INFORMATION UNIT'S ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY ITS RESOURCE FILE. ALL INTERVIEWED PERSONNEL WHO DEAL DIRECTLY WITH CLIENTS FELT THEY WERE ABLE TO RENDER MORE OR BETTER SERVICE TO THEIR CLIENTS AS A RESULT OF THE INFORMATION RESOURCE AT HAND IN THE CENTER. OPTIONS WERE OPENED TO CLIENTS THAT WOULD NOT HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN PURSUED BY THE COUNSELOR OR OFFICER. SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCES REINFORCED THE RELATIONSHIP, AND INCREASED THE INTERACTION BETWEEN CENTER AND COURT STAFF. OVER 33,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE WERE GIVEN TO THE COURT DURING THE PROJECT YEAR. INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ARE COPIES OF THE INTERVIEW GUIDELINE AND VOLUNTEER AND CLIENT QUESTIONNAIRE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)