Practical Individualized Approaches to the Education and Treatment of Juvenile Offenders (From American Correctional Association Proceedings, P 118-122, 1981, Barbara Hadley Olsson and Ann Dargis, ed. - See NCJ-76771)

• NCJ Number: 76783
• Author(s): G M Phyfer; A L Peaton
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper describes four programs designed to meet the individual needs of juvenile offenders; the programs were developed by the Alabama Department of Youth Services.

Abstract

One new program focuses on providing services to special needs students as mandated by Public Law 94-142, the Education For All Handicapped Children Act. Based on provisions under the law mandating services for youth who have learning, emotional, and psychological disabilities, many youth offenders qualify for assistance. Federal and State regulations for Public Law 94-142 are based upon the concept of a written, individualized education program (IEP) for each student. From this IEP, which is developed at the youth services' diagnostic and evaluation center, the offender's institutional school teacher develops an individualized instruction program. Approximately 300 youths have been identified as eligible for the program. One of the pilot programs, project FREE BIRD, is closely associated with compliance with Public Law 94-142. The program, developed in conjunction with Auburn University, trains institutional teaching staff to provide educational services to these youth and to develop teacher interpersonal communications skills. The project has received a favorable review by the State department of education. A second pilot program provides individualized vocational training to assist youth in reentering the community upon their release. Project components include a career preparation evaluation, educational and vocational skill development, placement, and followup. A planning, research, and staff development component supports the project. A fourth program recently developed in the State is a community-based prison awareness project with 17 counties participating. The project allows judges and probation officers to send youth on tours of State prisons to talk with selected inmates. The program can be used as a diversion alternative, a form of court disposition, or as a probation requirement. Although this type of program has received considerable criticism in the past, the Alabama program conforms to American Correctional Association standards established for these projects.