NCJ Number
88380
Date Published
1981
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The St. Louis County Juvenile Court (Missouri) developed Project LEARN to identify and serve the learning disabled youth who becomes involved in the juvenile court system. The project is part of the network of learning disabilities child service demonstration centers across the country.
Abstract
The project identifies those learning disabled youngsters who enter the court system and facilitates their reentry into the educational system. Children referred by juvenile officers qualify for the project if they are of average intelligence and if one or more of their academic skills levels has at no time in their school career exceeded the fourth grade. A multidisciplinary team conducts the screening and separates clients into those with primary and secondary disabilities. The team develops a plan for each youth that includes educational, social, vocational, and counseling objectives. The youth is placed in a classroom for 12 weeks and also participates in group therapy. Liaison services with schools and parents continue for 6 months. Of children completing the program, 60 percent have returned to school and 40 percent are directed towards vocational goals. Children held in detention for 6 days or more are also screened for learning disabilities. Data on a random sample of 125 youths show a significant correlation between the severity of learning disability and the number of offenses. These youths need services and resources to help them reenter society. No references are cited.