NCJ Number
156441
Journal
Journal of At-Risk Issues Volume: 1 Dated: (Fall 1994) Pages: 38-42
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
One hundred ten truant youths processed at the Hillsborough County (Fla.) Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) in January 1993 were studied with respect to their general characteristics and the identification of youths with potential problems who could benefit from early intervention services.
Abstract
Reflecting a services-oriented rather than a punitive approach to working with truant youths, the research also sought to share the results with education decisionmakers for effective targeting of limited resources. The analysis revealed that the majority of youths were males ages 9-18; the average age was 14 years. Only 35 percent lived with both their biological parents; 13 percent lived with a biological parent and a stepparent. A relatively large percentage were experiencing educational difficulties; 23 percent had a diagnosed learning problem. Forty-five percent had a history of one or more arrests on a delinquency charge. Results from the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers, a self-report instrument, revealed that 96 percent of the youths had potential problems in peer relations, 82 percent in mental health, 82 percent in educational status, 74 percent in social skills, 74 percent in aggressive behavior and delinquency, and 63 percent in handling issues of leisure and recreation. Findings indicated that the youths had multiple problems and should be an important target group for early intervention efforts to reduce further problems and involvement in the juvenile justice system. Tables, figure, and 9 references