NCJ Number
64387
Date Published
1978
Length
41 pages
Annotation
THE METHOD EMPLOYED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S YOUTH ASSOCIATION CENTER MODEL, A COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS, ARE EXAMINED IN TERMS OF SERVICES PROVIDED OVER A 2-YEAR PERIOD (1975-1977).
Abstract
SPONSORED BY THE WASHINGTON URBAN LEAGUE AND FUNDED BY AN LEAA GRANT, THE YOUTH ARBITRATION CENTER (YAC) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1975 TO SUPPLY VOLUNTARY DIVERSION SERVICES TO WASHINGTON, D.C. STATUS OFFENDING YOUTH. THE YAC MODEL IS VOLUNTARY AND NONLEGAL AND HAS SEVERAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING CRISIS INTERVENTION, ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION, FAMILY COUNSELING, EMERGENCY SHELTER CARE, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. STAFF CONSISTS OF COUNSELORS AND SERVICE AIDES, VOLUNTEERS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTANTS. THE EVALUATION IDENTIFIED ANALYZED STRENGTHS (E.G., RELIANCE ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND RESOURCES; IMMEIDATE CRISIS INTERVENTION STRATEGIES, EVEN BEFORE DATA ARE COLLECTED; THE CENTER'S USE OF MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION TO SETTLE DISPUTES BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN, WITH ARBITRATION AS THE LAST RESORT). ITS WEAKNESSES WERE DETERMINED AND SUGGESTIONS MADE. FIRST OF ALL, THE PROGRESS OF A CASE THROUGH THE YAC SYSTEM IS NOT CLEARLY TAGGED FOR THE PURPOSES OF CASE MONITORING. NEXT, THE MODEL FOR MEDIATION OMITS MEDIATION BETWEEN OUTSIDE OFFICIALS, PARTICULARLY THE SCHOOL AND THE CHILD. FINALLY, THE PROCESS FOR USING AND MONITORING CONSULTATIONS FOR RESEARCH, STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING, AND CASE ASSESSMENTS IS UNCLEAR, AND THE METHOD FOR SOLVING DISPUTES BETWEEN SERVICE COMPONENTS REGARDING CASES IS NOT SPECIFIED. SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE USE OF VOLUNTEER FAMILIES TO WORK WITH CLIENT FAMILIES, GREATER DEPENDENCE ON PEER COUNSELING, AND EXPANSION OF PLANS TO RECRUIT LOCAL UNIVERSITY INTERNS. THIS STUDY IS THE THIRD OF A SERIES OF THREE REPORTS ON YAC. CHARTS AND DIAGRAMS ARE PROVIDED IN THE TEXT.