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ESCORT SERVICES - A HOW-TO MANUAL FOR NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS

NCJ Number
67857
Author(s)
R M AUDETTE
Date Published
1980
Length
48 pages
Annotation
THE MANUAL OFFERS A GUIDE TO ESTABLISHING A NEIGHBORHOOD ESCORT SERVICES PROGRAM FOR SENIORS.
Abstract
THE FIRST PHASE, RESEARCH, INVOLVES GATHERING INFORMATION FROM AREA AGENCIES ON AGING, FROM LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES, FROM CHURCHES, FROM SENIOR CITIZEN CLUBS, AND FROM OTHER SOURCES TO DETERMINE IF AN ESCORT SERVICE IS NEEDED, IF IT IS FEASIBLE, IF A PARTICULAR GROUP SHOULD BE THE SPONSOR, AND WHAT THE AREA RESOURCES ARE. THE TYPE OF INFORMATION TO BE GATHERED INCLUDES DEFINITIONS OF THE AREA AND OF THE SERVICES TO BE OFFERED; BASIC STATISTICS ON NUMBERS OF SENIORS, YOUTHS, AND THE CRIME RATES IN THE AREA; DETAILS ON NUMBERS, CONCENTRATIONS, INCOME LEVELS, AND COMMON DESTINATIONS OF SENIOR CITIZENS; AND AN EXAMINATION OF EXISTING PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS IN THE AREA. WHEN ALL THE RESEARCH AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF THE ORGANIZATION WISHING TO ESTABLISH AN ESCORT SERVICE, THE BOARD MUST DECIDE IF SUCH A SERVICE IS FEASIBLE OR NECESSARY. IF IT DETERMINES TO GO AHEAD, AN ESCORT SERVICE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SET UP TO OVERSEE THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, SECURE FUNDS, HIRE STAFF, AND IMPLEMENT SERVICES. IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PUBLICIZING THE SERVICE WITH POSTERS, FLYERS, AND MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENTS; RECRUITING SENIORS; RECRUITING AND TRAINING THE ESCORTS; AND DEVELOPING OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES AND FORMS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH-RUNNING SERVICE. A FOLLOWUP PHASE MAINTAINS AND EXPANDS THE PROGRAM, ASSURES QUALITY, AND ESTABLISHES A CONTINUING EVALUATION PROCEDURE. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ESCORT SERVICE FREQUENTLY LEADS TO A REDUCTION IN CRIME AND IN FEAR OF CRIME, AND FOSTERS A GREATER SENSE OF COMMUNITY. A RESOURCE LIST AND EIGHT APPENDIXES ARE INCLUDED.