Tracking Children Within a Regional Delinquency Prevention System (From Issues in Juvenile Delinquency, P 47-54, 1986, Linda Dziobek, et al, eds. - See NCJ-100524)

• NCJ Number: 100530
• Author(s): R S Everitt
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

As the Southeast Alabama Youth Services delinquency prevention system grew to an eight-county, multiprogram operation, it became necessary to develop a computerized system to track clients and monitor programs.

Abstract

The first step in implementing the system was the development of an automated master file. Data from a 1-page, 90-item intake form is entered daily to provide all the information needed to track the child throughout the region's juvenile justice system. The data are used in planning housing, preparing statistical reports, case management and decisionmaking, filling information requests from other agencies, and program monitoring and evaluation. Additional equipment has been added to computerize the agency's financial records, including payroll, purchases, and expenditures. Effective use of the computer has opened a whole new world of information to agency staff and directors. It has provided the capability for tracking youth from first contact and for providing assistance as they mature through the best possible intervention.