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ASSESSMENT OF YOUTH SERVICE SYSTEMS IN CONNECTICUT TOWNS - A SUMMARY

NCJ Number
68021
Date Published
Unknown
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THIS FOUR-PART STUDY OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR YOUTH IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW INCLUDED A SURVEY OF AGENCIES, A STUDY OF YOUTH SERVICES IN THREE TOWNS, A PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY, AND A STUDY OF 'MOST NEEDY CASES.'
Abstract
THE FIRST SECTION OF THIS SUMMARY REPORT DESCRIBES THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR YOUTH IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW IN EACH OF THE 169 CONNECTICUT TOWNS. THE COMPILATION OF AN ACCURATE LIST OF AGENCIES PROVED TO BE A DIFFICULT TASK AND REVEALED THAT THE NETWORK OF SERVICES WAS FAR LESS TANGIBLE THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT. INFORMATION REGARDING THE NATURE OF THE YOUTH SERVICE SYSTEM WAS GATHERED, INCLUDING STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE PATTERNS, PERCEPTIONS, AND NEEDS OF THE RESPONDING AGENCIES. THE SECOND SUMMARY REVIEWS A STUDY OF YOUTH SERVICES IN THREE CONNECTICUT TOWNS. AN ANALYSIS DESIGNED TO TAP NETWORK RELATIONSHIPS WAS CONDUCTED, WITH EACH AGENCY BEING QUERIED REGARDING ITS RELATIONS WITH OTHER AGENCIES IN THE SAME TOWN. A PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY IN THE THREE TOWNS EXPLORED THE PERCEPTION AND AWARENESS OF A RANDOM SAMPLE OF THE CITIZENS CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY AND ADEQUACY OF YOUTH SERVICES. IN ADDITION, AN EXAMINATION OF A SMALL SAMPLE OF 'MOST NEEDY' CASES IN EACH OF THE THREE TOWNS WAS MADE IN ORDER TO DETERMINE 'GAPS' IN SERVICES THAT COULD AFFECT ALL YOUTH. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED DEVELOPING COORDINATION BETWEEN AGENCIES, A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF RECORD-KEEPING, AND A FORMAL REFERRAL SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)