NCJ Number
169881
Date Published
1997
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This paper describes Hawaii's Youth Gang Response System (YGRS), and it profiles and evaluates two of the systems flagship programs: (a collaborative anti-gang curriculum) and SAP (a collaborative truancy intervention program); it also reviews the status of GREAT (a law enforcement system for identifying and tracking gang members).
Abstract
In the process evaluation of the YGRS, the agencies and programs included in the YGRS are described, as are the funding patterns. Survey data were collected from each of the member agencies, and these were used to inform recommendations regarding the system as a whole. Survey data from youth participants in the YGRS are summarized as well. A review and evaluation of the database that tracks gang members is included, followed by quantitative and qualitative data on the effectiveness of the and SAP programs. Finally, the entire array of YGRS programs are compared to recent literature on effective delinquency prevention and intervention programs. Recommendations are presented, based on the study's internal assessment of the programs as well as relevant external literature. Overall, the evaluation shows that YGRS agencies are serving youth at considerable risk for gang involvement. Regarding , the data show that the new emphasis on violence prevention in the curriculum is working; consideration should be given to continuing and expanding this emphasis. SAP data indicate that the intervention program is effective in deterring truancy, particularly with non-chronic offenders. Regarding the gang tracking system, the quality of data appears improved, but there are still doubts that the current system will ever overcome the complexity of the program, which apparently inhibits its use. 19 tables, 11 charts, and appended GREAT Post-Training Survey