PROJECT HOPE - KEEPING THE TROUBLED ADOLESCENT IN HER FAMILY, IN SCHOOL, AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LAW

• NCJ Number: 66756
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: Project Connection Macro Systems, Inc/NASADAD
• Sale Source: Project Connection Macro Systems, Inc/NASADAD
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PROJECT CONNECTION - BEST STRATEGY, STRATEGY NO 7

Annotation

PROJECT HOPE, A NONPROFIT, NONRESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR 25 YOUNG WOMEN, 12 TO 15 YEARS OF AGE, IS INTENDED TO DECREASE RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENT AND INCREASE CLIENT'S PROFICIENCY IN SCHOOL.

Abstract

OTHER SPECIFIC GOALS OF THE PROGRAM, LOCATED IN ALBANY, NEW YORK, INCLUDE DECREASING THE RECIDIVISM RATE, INCREASING THE GIRL'S DESIRE TO ACHIEVE BENEFICIAL LIFE GOALS, AND DECREASING THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL-RELATED MISBEHAVIORS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, DAILY CONTACT WITH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, AND FAMILY THERAPY FOR EACH ADOLESCENT AND HER PARENTS. THE PROJECT OPERATES IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, AND CLIENTS ATTEND FROM 3:30 TO 5:30 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AND WEEKLY FAMILY THERAPY ARE USED. PROJECT HOPE IS IN UNIQUE IN THAT IF FOCUSES ON A TARGET POPULATION OF FEMALE ADOLESCENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE TROUBLESOME BEHAVIOR; DEALS WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM WITHIN A BROAD CONTEXT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, FAMILY, AND PERSONALITY DYNAMICS; IS INTEANE AND OF SHORT DURATION; AND, BY DESIGN, REQUIRES FAMILY INVOLVEMENT. PROJECT HOPE KEEPS THE WOMAN IN HER OWN FAMILY, SCHOOL, AND AMBIENCE. STAFF INCLUDE A NUMBER OF PART-TIME COUNSELOR SPECIALIZING IN SPECIFIC AREAS PLUS TWO FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATORS AND VOLUNTEERS. THE PROJECT HAD 137 REFERRALS FROM JANUARY 1, 1977 TO JANUARY 1, 1979, AND SERVED 96 YOUNG WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN ADDITION, 58 OF THE 71 CLIENTS WHO WERE ENROLLED AND LEFT THE PROGRAM WERE NOT PLACED IN RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS. SIXTY-THREE OF THE 96 YOUNG WOMEN ENROLLED HAVE SUCCESSFULLY AVOIDED REINVOLVEMENT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THESE RESULTS INDICATE THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS, BUT CAUTION SHOULD BE USED IN INTERPRETATION SINCE OTHER VARIABLES MAY HAVE INFLUENCED THE OUTCOMES. CONDITIONS FOR REPLICATION REST PRINCIPALLY UPON THE CREDIBILITY OF THE SPONSORING AGENCY, ITS ABILITY TO DEVELOP LINKAGES AND COOPERATION AMONG KEY AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ITS ABILITY TO GAIN AND MAINTAIN COMMUNITY SUPPORT. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED. (AOP)