NCJ Number
94895
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This discussion of the 19th Ward Youth Project in upstate New York -- a preventive and innovative community-based program providing direct counseling, referral, and crisis intervention to inner-city youth and their families -- reviews program development, the use of a systems approach to develop models for influencing major portions of clients' social environments, and the advantages and disadvantages of a merger with the Convalescent Hospital for Children, a highly respected traditional maternal health facility for children and adolescents in Rochester.
Abstract
It is not a runaway program, but a substantial number of clients fit the familiar runaway profile. The Youth Project began in 1968 with primary prevention through neighborhood schools. Later, it developed secondary prevention by offering services to youth referred because of family and school problems. The major thrust of the Youth Project continues to be involvement of youth workers in public elementary and secondary schools. Most of the work with youths is in groups which focus on the development of appropriate interactions. The Project's direct services to youth and its community development strategies have been effective. Despite some disadvantages to the merger, it made the Youth Project financially viable. Youth and families have an accessible program that is accepted by the community. The Youth Project continues to offer primary and secondary preventive services, solving problems by changing the community and by helping youth and families predisposed to emotional and social difficulties.