NCJ Number
83315
Date Published
1973
Length
133 pages
Annotation
This report describes the activities and results of a Seattle, Wash., program which operated for 32 months ending in May 1973. It employed black social workers and a community resource developer to reduce and prevent youth problems and delinquency in the central area of Seattle.
Abstract
Project Service was funded by a grant provided by the Omniubus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. The project provided a range of individual and group approaches aimed at improving the self-images and capabilities of youths. Education was a major area of emphasis. Efforts to strengthen the family unit focused on developing mutual understanding between parents and youth, improved communication, acceptance of individual differences, and strengthening of the parent role. From February 1972 through May 1973, the program served 148 youths. The target youths were aged 10 to 18, were predominantly black, and were known to have serious academic and social problems in school. Their families tended to be characterized by poverty and total involvement in the struggle for survival. The numbers and severity of contacts with the police declined markedly for the youths in the project. Evaluations were also provided by the project workers and the youths served by the project. Numerous case examples are presented to illustrate the types of clients served, the specific techniques used with these clients, and the outcomes of the efforts. Tabular data are also provided.