NCJ Number
99390
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1985) Pages: 37-45
Date Published
1985
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper guides juvenile intake officers in defining the problems presented by juvenile status offenders, so as to facilitate family cooperation in solving the problem and the use of appropriate treatment modes.
Abstract
The manner in which a status offender's problem is defined at intake is an intervention in itself, because it organizes behavioral goals for the juvenile as well as family members. Intake officers, given a more sophisticated understanding of the strategic use of problem definitions, can better use their discretion to create opportunities for new behaviors by both juveniles and their families. An effective problem definition is one that (1) is clear enough so that major participants in the problemsolving understand and agree on the problem, (2) motivates family members to participate in problemsolving, and (3) suggests new strategies for addressing the problem. Problem definition rests on three factors: family demographic data, family interactional data, and juvenile court philosophies that guide juvenile justice intervention. One philosophy emphasizes treating the child; a second focuses on individual rights, fairness, and justice; and a third highlights social control or public protection. Problem definitions will depend on which of these philosophies the court follows. Intake officer training should facilitate the framing of problem definitions consistent with particular court philosophies and appropriate to the characteristics of specific families. Thirty-nine notes are listed.