NCJ Number
68643
Date Published
Unknown
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE BANKHEAD COURTS YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU IN ATLANTA, GA., GEARED TO FINDING COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND TO EXTENDING JUVENILE COURT DIVERSION FOR DELINQUENT YOUTHS, ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IN THE BANKHEAD COURTS HOUSING PROJECT, 428 OF A TOTAL OF 480 FAMILIES ARE SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES, AND 440 ARE WELFARE RECIPIENTS. THE PROJECT IS NOTED FOR CASES OF DELINQUENCY, NEGLECT, AND UNRULINESS. THE YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE SEPTEMBER 1973. ITS GOALS ARE TO DIVERT CHILDREN FROM INSTITUTIONAL CARE TO COMMUNITY TREATMENT; TO MINIMIZE CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM BY PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES FOR REFERRALS TO EXISTING RESOURCES FOR JUVENILES; TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM; AND TO EFFECT CLIENTS' ATTITUDINAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES. FURTHER OBJECTIVES INCLUDE IMPROVED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND PARENTING BEHAVIORS, AND THE PROVISION OF EXPERIENCES FOR CULTURAL ENRICHMENT. THE PROGRAM IDENTIFIES YOUTHS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 17 WHO ARE BEGINNING TO EXHIBIT PREDELINQUENT PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR TO ACT AS SPONSORS. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF INTENSIVE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING SPONSORS SERVE AS ROLE-MODELS WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN. EACH SPONSOR IS EXPECTED TO SPEND AT LEAST 2 HOURS PER WEEK WITH EACH OF 2 ASSIGNEES. ACTIVITIES CONSIST OF ONE-TO-ONE GAMES AND TALKS, AND TAKING YOUTH TO LOCAL ENTERTAINMENTS. EACH YOUTH IS ALSO ASSIGNED TO AN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELOR WHO PROVIDES SEVERAL HOURS OF COUNSELING PER MONTH. ALSO, MONTHLY COUNSELING SESSIONS ARE HELD WITH EACH YOUTH'S FAMILY. VOCATIONAL AND ACADEMIC COUNSELING AS WELL AS CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS WHO HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES DIRECT THE PROJECT. APPENDIXES CONTAIN AN EVALUATION OF THE BUREAU'S FIRST, SECOND, AND FOURTH YEARS OF OPERATION.