NCJ Number
55842
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE STRATEGY USED BY A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A SHELTER CARE PROGRAM FOR 'MINORS IN NEED OF SUPERVISION' IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN DECEMBER 1976, A TASK FORCE CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM DIVERSION, THE YOUTH HOME, AND JUVENILE AND ADULT DIVISIONS OF THE DUPAGE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT MET TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A SHELTER CARE PROGRAM. USING POLICY ANALYSIS AS A BASIS, THE TASK FORCE DEFINED SHELTER CARE AS A 'NONSECURE PREADJUDICATORY PLACEMENT FOR THOSE JUVENILES WHO ARE NEITHER A THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR TO OTHERS OR LIKELY TO FLEE THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT.' AFTER NEED WAS DEFINED AND THE CASE FILES REVIEWED, IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WERE 8 TO 10 JUVENILES PER MONTH ELIGIBLE FOR SHELTER CARE. ATTENTION THEN WAS FOCUSED ON DETERMINING VIABLE ALTERNATIVES FOR HANDLING THIS VOLUME OF CLIENTS. THE IDEAL ELEMENTS OF A SHELTER CARE PROGRAM WERE DEVELOPED, ALONG WITH SOME OF THE ALTERNATIVES FOR MEETING THE IDEAL. THE ALTERNATIVE SELECTED WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOMEBOUND-DETENTION PROGRAM THAT COULD BE HOUSED AT THE INTAKE CENTER OF THE YOUTH HOME. BETTER IDENTIFICATION OF CLIENT PROBLEMS AT THE TIME OF CRISIS WOULD HELP IDENTIFY PROGRAMS BEST SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF CLIENTS. IT WAS FELT SUCH A PROGRAM WOULD MINIMIZE SHELTER CARE PLACEMENTS AND COSTS. BY WORKING WITH FAMILIES THROUGH CRISIS INTERVENTION, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WOULD HAVE GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR RECONCILING DIFFERENCES, THUS MAINTAINING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. IN ADDITION, IT WAS FELT THERE IS MUCH VALUE TO RETURNING JUVENILES TO THE COMMUNITY AND HOMES IF POSSIBLE. THE ONLY OTHER COST FOR THE PROGRAM INVOLVED AN ADDITIONAL STAFF POSITION AT THE YOUTH HOME. A GOAL SET FOR 1978 WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH ALTERNATIVES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM. PROGRAM PROCEDURES WERE TO BE DESIGNED AND A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A PROGRAM COORDINATOR DEVELOPED. USING POLICY ANALYSIS, A NEW TASK FORCE WILL CONFRONT THIS PROBLEM.