NCJ Number
64390
Date Published
1976
Length
60 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT PRESENTS AN EVALUATION OF THE WASHINGTON, D.C., URBAN LEAGUE'S YOUTH ARBITRATION CENTER (YAC) PROJECT, FOR THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 1, 1976, THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 1976.
Abstract
THE PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY A LEAA DEMONSTRATION GRANT BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER, 1975. THE PROJECT GOAL WAS TO DIVERT AND SERVE STATUS OFFENDERS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S SERVICE AREA SIX. SERVICES INCLUDED OUT-OF-COURT ARBITRATION; CRISIS; FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING; MEDICAL AND DENTAL EXAMINATIONS; EDUCATIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS; FAMILY HOUSING ASSISTANCE; A SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM; EMPLOYMENT REFERRALS; AND ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT. EVALUATION DATA WERE COLLECTED THROUGH RECORD REVIEWS, OBSERVATION, AND SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS. RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE YAC PROGRAM AND ITS EVALUATION PROJECT HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN MOST OF THEIR PROJECTS AND TASKS, EXCEPT FOR PROVIDING A FORMAL RESIDENTAL PROGRAM AND DEFINING A CONTROL GROUP FOR EVALUATION PURPOSES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT (1) CRITERIA FOR SELECTING AND TERMINATING CLIENTS BE REFINED; (2) FUNDING BE PROVIDED TO DEVELOP COURT DATA, ESPECIALLY COST DATA; (3) EXISTING STATUS OFFENDER SERVICES CONTINUE TO PLACE EQUAL EMPHASIS ON SERVICE TO FEMALES AND MALES; (4) YAC SHARE ITS FINDINGS WITH THE CITYWIDE DIVERSION PROGRAM; (5) YAC CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS; (6) FUTURE EVALUATION EFFORTS FOCUS ON COMPARITIVE USE OF EXISTING SERVICE AREA BASELINE DATA IN ORDER TO MEASURE CHANGES IN CLIENT POPULATION BEHAVIOR. FIGURES, TABLES, FOOTNOTES, A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND APPENDIXES PRESENTING PROJECT FORMS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE EVALUATION ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)