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FAIRFAX COUNTY (VA) - WORK TRAINING PROGRAM - EXEMPLARY PROJECT VALIDATION REPORT

NCJ Number
36583
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1976
Length
125 pages
Annotation
THIS PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO REDUCE FURTHER DELINQUENCY IN REPEAT JUVENILE OFFENDERS BY PROVIDING CONSTRUCTIVE AND GUIDED ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES, COUNSELING AND JOB-DEVELOPMENT.
Abstract
PROGRAM CLIENTS ARE JUVENILES, 14-17 YEARS OLD, WHO HAVE COMMITTED TWO OR MORE OFFENSES AND WHO VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO PARTICIPATE. TRAINEES WORK FROM 15 TO 40 HOURS WEEKLY FOR A MAXIMUM OF SIX MONTHS AT $2.22 PER HOUR AND RECEIVE COUNSELING ON JOB-RELATED AND OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS REPORT WAS PREPARED FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE FOR ITS USE IN DETERMINING IF THE PROGRAM SATISFIES THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTION AS AN EXEMPLARY PROJECT. IN ADDITION TO ADDRESSING EACH OF THE INSTITUTES SELECTION CRITERIA (MEASURABILITY, GOAL ACHIEVEMENT, REPLICABILITY, EFFICIENCY, AND ACCESSIBILITY), THIS REPORT PRESENTS DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT'S DEVELOPMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND OPERATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROGRAM'S MAJOR STRENGTHS INCLUDE SOLID SUPPORT FROM THE STAFF, JUVENILE COURT JUDGES, PROBATION OFFICERS, COUNTY GOVERNMENT, AND AGENCIES PROVIDING JOBS; THE REQUIREMENT THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS VOLUNTEER FOR THE PROGRAM; AND THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MORE JOB SLOTS THAN PARTICIPANTS TO FILL THEM. MAJOR WEAKNESSES CITED WERE A LACK OF SUFFICIENT QUANTITATIVE DATA TO SHOW CONCLUSIVELY THAT THE PROGRAM REDUCES RECIDIVISM, LITTLE ACTIVE PROGRAM CONCERN FOR THE POST-PROGRAM BEHAVIOR OF PARTICIPANTS, AND DELAYS IN MATCHING JOBS TO VOLUNTEERS WHICH LEAD TO PROGRAM DROPOUTS. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE A LISTING OF AGENCIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM, A LIST OF PROGRAM JOB SLOTS, AND BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT OF FAIRFAX COUNTY.