NCJ Number
62445
Date Published
1979
Length
34 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION RESULTS ARE REPORTED FOR A FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO, JUVENILE COURT DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR UNRULY YOUTH (STATUS OFFENDERS).
Abstract
IN 1974, FRANKLIN COUNTY UNDERTOOK A PROJECT TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE FOR STATUS OFFENDERS THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NETWORK FO COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL SERVICES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES. THE PROGRAM OPERATES A 24-HOUR PER DAY, 7-DAY-A-WEEK CRISIS INTAKE CENTER, THREE DECENTRALIZED INTAKE CENTERS, AND THREE COUNSELING SUPPORT UNITS. A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM IS THE COMMUNITY SERVICES SYSTEM, COORDINATED COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEM. OVER 70 AGENCIES HAVE BEEN INTEGRATED INTO A SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR TROUBLED YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. AFTER 2 YEARS OF OPERATION, AN EVALUATION STUDY WAS UNDERTAKEN WHICH FOCUSED ON 492 JUVENILES WHO HAD CONTACT WITH THE PROGRAM FROM JANUARY TO JUNE 1976. THE SAMPLE CONSISTED OF 194 YOUTHS WHO RECEIVED REGULAR SERVICE AVERAGING 5 MONTHS, 195 YOUTHS WHO RECEIVED NO SERVICES BUT WERE WITHIN THE TARGET POPULATION, AND 103 YOUTHS NOT WITHIN THE TARGET POPULATION. EVALUATION RESULTS SHOWED THAT (1) THE OBJECTIVE OF KEEPING 75 PERCENT OF CLIENTS OUT OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS ONLY PARTIALLY ACHIEVED; (2) THE OBJECTIVE OF 75 PERCENT OF THE CASES SHOWING IMPROVEMENT WAS ONLY PARTIALLY ACHIEVED; (3) THE OBJECTIVE OF MAINTAINING INTACT 75 PERCENT OF THE FAMILIES SERVED WAS ACHIEVED; AND (4) THE OBJECTIVE OF SECURING SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENTS FOR 75 PERCENT OF THE YOUTHS NOT MAINTAINED IN INTACT FAMILIES WAS ACHIEVED. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)