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Testing, Counseling, and Supportive Services (From Breakthrough for Disadvantaged Youth, P 59-116, 1969, Willian Mirengoff, ed. - See NCJ-75406)

NCJ Number
75409
Author(s)
J E Gordon
Date Published
1969
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This report describes assessment, counseling, and supportive techniques used by the over 50 experimental and demonstration (E&D) projects for disadvantaged youth funded under the Manpower Development and Training Act between 1962 and 1965.
Abstract
An overview of E&D programs emphasizes their psychological frame of reference aimed at reducing youth unemployment by intervening in the behavior and experiences of the youths themselves. The discussion of assessment encompasses all tests applied to trainees, processes used to place trainees in programs, and procedures for evaluating potential trainees. Trainee responses to psychological and vocational tests are detailed, along with comments on uses of the tests and a summary of pertinent findings, including a profile of the E&D client. Although these formal tests were given almost ritualistically, they were seldom used to determine admission, to guide counseling or placement, or to make referrals. Informal and nontest assessment procedures are also described, including clinical evaluation, homemade tests, ratings of work performance, self-assessment, and training in taking employment tests. Major assessment innovations developed by the E&D projects are identified. The examination of counseling approaches covers a wide range of activities which were intended to modify behavior. Examples of counseling formats encountered in the E&D projects were individual counseling performed by skilled craftsmen, group sessions, and interventions with parents and employers. The kinds of personnel involved in counseling and their methods are also discussed. Although followup activities were lacking in most projects, E&D counseling programs did expand group counseling methods, demonstrate the value of subprofessionals in working with disadvantaged youth, and advocate intervention in all aspects of a youth's life to solve employment problems. E&D projects included many supportive services which were prerequisites for counseling or facilitated participation, such as residential facilities, financial support, legal services, and health care. The review of supportive techniques also covers role model programs, cultural enrichment, and image building efforts. Several recommendations for improving future E&D programs are offered regarding the selection of proposed projects, operating practices, supervision from the Manpower Administration, policies, research goals, and administration. No references are given.