NCJ Number
115755
Date Published
1988
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Three professionals -- the director of the Washington State Interagency Planning Project, a trainer for Kentucky's Department of Social Services (DSS), and the manager of DSS's Day Treatment Program -- discuss aftercare planning and programs for juveniles released from residential care facilities.
Abstract
The panel focuses on eight components of juvenile aftercare; prerelease assessment and planning, family services, the continuum of care, high frequency of contact, community resources development, drug and alcohol abuse prevention, leisure activities, and maintenance of staff energy and motivation. Speakers emphasize that aftercare planning must begin when the juvenile enters the residential program and should involve all relevant community agencies. Other issues explored include working with the family and promoting interagency cooperation. All speakers comment that frequency of contact with the juvenile and the family is critical following the first 2 weeks after release. The use of volunteers as mentors and advocates for the juvenile is strongly supported. Also discussed are combating staff burnout and evaluations.