NCJ Number
146747
Journal
Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Volume: 63 Dated: (April 1992) Pages: 31-33,61
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Long Beach, Calif., has developed a multicultural approach to gang prevention; its program has 10 major components.
Abstract
In the past few decades, the city's population has evolved from a primarily white, homogeneous community to a multicultural mix of people. With such diversity comes the challenge of new approaches and problems that arise from cultural differences. In November 1986, the mayor and city council appointed a task force on gangs. The task force members reflected the diversity of the city's population and the areas most affected by drug abuse and gangs. Their recommendations emphasized the need to channel at-risk youth into positive activities before they become involved with gangs, placing higher priority on prevention rather than rehabilitation of those already involved in gangs. The program now involves the following separate, but interdependent components: (1) school classroom antigang instruction, (2) consultant and staff to coordinate the program, (3) recreational programming, (4) employment training and development, (5) collaboration between the school district and the parts and recreation department in a peer counseling program, (6) training for service providers to at-risk youth, (7) extensive case management services for high-risk youth, (8) a resource directory, (9) independent program evaluation, and (10) parent education. Photograph