NCJ Number
29009
Date Published
1974
Length
85 pages
Annotation
PROJECT TO REDUCE VIOLENT GANG ACTIVITIES BY INCREASING THE AVAILABILITY OF COUNSELING AND SOCIAL REFERRAL SERVICES TO VIOLENCE-PRONE YOUTH GROUPS.
Abstract
MAIN ROLES FOR THE WORKERS WERE TO COORDINATE SERVICES, TO SEE THAT THE RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE TO MEET YOUTH NEEDS, CONTACTING SCHOOLS, POLICE, YOUTH SERVICE AGENCIES, THE HOME AND COMMUNITY PEOPLE. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED SPECIAL MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS AND INFORMAL TRAINING SESSIONS, DEVELOPING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, COOPERATION, AND YOUTH ORIENTED PROGRAMS. THE PROJECT ALSO REFERED YOUTH FOR JOBS AND SERVICES, PROVIDED COORDINATION OF SERVICES FOR YOUTH CONSERVATION SERVICES, REPORTED ON ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES AND AGENCY COOPERATIVENESS, AND PARTICIPATED IN PLANNING WITH SCHOOLS AND COOPERATION WITH POLICE. THE EVALUATION FOUND THAT THE PROGRAM HAD NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE. GANG RELATED DEATHS WENT UP AND SERVICES TO YOUTH DID NOT IMPROVE. THE EVALUATION CONCLUDED THAT IN ORDER FOR THE GANG WORKER CONCEPT AND APPROACH TO WORK, TWO OR THREE TIMES THE LEVEL OF FUNDING WOULD BE NEEDED AS START-UP COSTS TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM WHICH WOULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO ACHIEVE SOME RESULTS, OR CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE FAILURE AND COST-INEFFECTIVENESS. THE EVALUATION RECOMMENDS MAJOR CHANGES IN THE ORGANIZATION, MANAGEMENT, AND COORDINATION OF THE PROJECT IF IT IS REFUNDED.