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Molding Role Models: Educating Students To Work With Juveniles

NCJ Number
172408
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1997) Pages: 78-86
Author(s)
N Persaud; S Bush-Baskette; M W Barber
Date Published
1997
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a descriptive overview and some preliminary results on the impact of the Juvenile Justice Role Model Development Program (JJRMDP) established by two Florida universities to educate and train culturally diverse role models to address juvenile delinquency.
Abstract
JJRMDP began in 1995 as a collaborative effort between the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and the Florida State University. The program rests on the view that one way to address juvenile delinquency is to educate and train a sufficient number of culturally diverse role models who understand the crucial importance of working with juveniles and can address the needs of young people who have learned the wrong ways to respond to difficulties or resolve conflicts. The JJRMDP curriculum consists of 6 core courses or seminars for 18 credit hours, as well as 12 semester hours of internship. Core courses are offered each semester. As part of their field laboratory requirement, students work with one or more at-risk juveniles; visit detention centers, shock incarceration programs, courts, and counseling centers; and live in or visit problem neighborhoods to observe and record actual behaviors and events. The internship is a work activity that includes 32-35 hours per week at a juvenile justice facility, with 4 hours for classroom discussion and problem resolution. More than 1,700 students have taken courses in the program. Recurring themes in students' reports include the low educational levels and economic deprivation of juvenile offenders, communication difficulties, youths' reasons to distrust others, and youths' and institutions' conflicting definitions of the situation. The preliminary results indicate that potential role models can be educated and trained to assist in preventing and intervening in juvenile delinquency. 11 references