NCJ Number
45995
Journal
CRIME PREVENTION REVIEW Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (JANUARY 1978) Pages: 21-25
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A RESIDENTIAL JUVENILE TREATMENT PROJECT IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED PLACEMENT EMPHASIZING BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR DELINQUENT YOUTHS, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IN ADDITION TO REDUCING THE HIGH COST OF PROBATIONARY PLACEMENT, PROJECT NEW LEAF IS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY AND MODIFY UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIORS THROUGH BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES AND BY PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY COUNSELING WHILE ALSO PROVIDING A HIGH LEVEL OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION AND REBUILDING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. THE PROGRAM OPERATES WITHIN A SEMISECURE JUVENILE HALL COMPLEX WHICH ALSO HOUSES THE VON HUMBOLDT HIGH SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM UTILIZES A TOKEN REWARD SYSTEM IN WHICH POINTS MAY BE AWARDED FOR INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP BEHAVIOR AND JOB PERFORMANCE. THE ACCUMULATION OF POINTS DETERMINES THE INDIVIDUAL'S STAGE OF PROGRESS WITHIN A HIERARCHICAL SYSTEM OF REWARDS, PRIVILEGES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES. BY THE TIME THE FOURTH STAGE IS ATTAINED, THE YOUTH IS READY FOR TRIAL PLACEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. THE POINT SYSTEM SERVES TO ENCOURAGE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTIONS, PROVIDES A STRUCTURE FOR GOAL PLANNING AND ACHIEVEMENT, ENCOURAGES POSITIVE PEER INTERACTIONS, AND FACILITATES INTERACTION WITH AUTHORITY FIGURES. THE COUNSELING PROGRAM HELPS IDENTIFY AREAS OF INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY DYSFUNCTION AND AIMS AT IMPROVING COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL COPING SKILLS. TESTING MAY ALSO BE PROVIDED TO AID IN THE COORDINATION OF INTERVENTIONS WITH NEEDS. FINALLY, THE SCHOOL PROVIDES AN EFFECTIVE PUPIL/TEACHER RATIO, CAREFUL ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT, INDIVIDUALIZED PUPIL-CONTRACTED INSTRUCTION, AND MEANS FOR REMEDIAL EDUCATION AND SCHOLASTIC ADVANCEMENT. SINCE ITS OPERATIONALIZATION IN 1975, THE PROJECT HAS PROVIDED THESE SERVICES FOR 70 MALE AND FEMALE MINOR PROBATIONERS. TWO BRIEF CASE REPORTS ARE PRESENTED TO ILLUSTRATE THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS. CONSIDERING THE HIGH LEVELS OF DEVIANCE OF THE MINORS REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM, IT IS IMPRESSIVE THAT 25 PERCENT OF THOSE REFERRED ARE TAKEN OFF PROBATION AFTER COMPLETING THE PROGRAM AND ARE NOT REFERRED FOR FURTHER VIOLATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE PROJECT AIDS IN REDUCING OVERALL PLACEMENT COSTS TO THE COUNTY DESPITE THE HIGH RATES OF INFLATION. (JAP)