NCJ Number
52175
Date Published
1977
Length
77 pages
Annotation
PROGRESS TOWARD CREATING A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY (PITTSBURGH), PA., IS EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE WARRENDALE COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCES MODEL (WCRM) CALLS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FIVE DAY TREATMENT CENTERS AND THREE COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL CENTERS (GROUP HOMES) TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES TO YOUTHS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO THE WARRENDALE YOUTH DETENTION CENTER. A SMALL CONTINGENT WILL REMAIN AT WARRENDALE TO PROVIDE INTAKE AND DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS AS WELL AS INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES AS NEEDED. THE EVALUATION FOCUSES ON THE PLANNING AND EARLY IMPLEMENTATION PHASES OF THE PROJECT, TOUCHING ON THE OPERATIONS OF A PILOT DAY TREATMENT CENTER OPENED IN FEBRUARY 1976 AND ON EFFORTS TO RETRAIN AND REDEPLOY DETENTION CENTER PERSONNEL AS DAY TREATMENT WORKERS. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO GUIDELINES FOR FULL PROGRAM EVALUATIONS IN LATER PHASES OF THE PROJECT. THE EVALUATION REPORT COVERS PROJECT PLANNING AND CONTROL, THE QUALITY OF TREATMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE PILOT DAY TREATMENT CENTER AND AT WARRENDALE, THE PROJECT'S COMPLIANCE WITH BOTH LEAA GRANT REQUIREMENTS AND THE AMERICAN CORRECTION ASSOCIATION'S STANDARDS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT, AND THE ADEQUACY OF THE PROJECT'S RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING PROCEDURES. FACTORS INHIBITING AND CONTRIBUTING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES ARE IDENTIFIED, AND ALTERNATIVES TO THE WCRM ARE SUGGESTED. PROGRAM EVALUATION STRATEGIES AND COST ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES ARE OUTLINED. AMONG RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GREATER USE OF EXISTING COUNTY-OPERATED SERVICE PROGRAMS, INCLUSION OF DIVERSION ALTERNATIVES, AND DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS TO GUIDE DISPOSITION OF JUVENILE CASES.