NCJ Number
163996
Date Published
1996
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of an evaluation of Carver County's (Minnesota) STS PLUS intensive supervision program, which is designed for high-risk youth who are under the supervision of Carver County Court Services, have behavioral and/or mental health issues, and are about to be placed in residential treatment.
Abstract
The program provides intensive supervision, structured programming, a strong counseling component for the youth and family, life planning, and cognitive skills development. Youth are court-ordered into the program for 90 days, during which there is a gradually decreasing amount of supervision. Included in the initial 5 days is an assessment to establish goals, short- term objectives, periodic reviews, community expectations, and program rules. Program goals are to enhance community safety, keep families intact, increase community collaboration, improve life skills, increase school performance, and provide the judicial system with an alternative to residential treatment. In the evaluation, demographic data provided information on indicators that have a high probability of providing insight into possible variables that could influence the success or failure of participating youths. Delinquency data were analyzed in a time- series approach. Educational and life skills data were also collected, along with data from an opinion worksheet on pro- social values; surveys on satisfaction with the program and on educational, vocational, and life skill goals; and a 1-year follow-up survey. All youths admitted to the program between April 1994 until March 1995 were evaluated. The average length of program participation was 3.5 months. Delinquency data show that the program significantly reduced the pattern of delinquent behavior (4 percent recidivism rate for serious offenses, felony, and gross misdemeanor). Further, the program improved high-risk youths' values toward school, law-abiding behavior, and the community. Youth are highly satisfied with the STS PLUS Program, and they learned life skills from the program and set positive long-term and short-term goals. Tabular data and 13 references