Testimony by Ernie Veach-White, Juvenile Services Manager, Clark County Juvenile Court -- Presented to House Committee on Education and Labor, March 9, 1992

• NCJ Number: 136975
• Author(s): E Veach-White
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The Special Intervention Program (SIP) in Clark County, Washington, offers a multidisciplinary approach to working with minor or first offenders and involves cooperation among the Juvenile Court, schools, and social service agencies to provide early intervention for youth and their families.

Abstract

Most youth referred to SIP have problems at home and in school, and the majority are from single-parent families. For over 50 percent, one or both parents are chemically addicted, and over 30 percent of the youth themselves struggle with addiction. In 15 percent of the cases, a parent has been incarcerated or is currently in prison; 15 percent of the youth have gang affiliations. Although it is too early to measure the impact of SIP on long-term recidivism, over 85 percent of youth referred to the program have completed it successfully. This success rate is attributed to three factors: expanded role of probation counselors beyond their traditional roles, with emphasis on intensive case management; intervention based on coordination with the family, the school, and others having an interest in youth; and youth advocacy. Two case studies of SIP participants are noted.