The Disproportionate Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in ...

415
Decision makers expressed a need to create and develop alternative probation
programs. Programs that provide role models, and socialization and employment skills
should receive priority consideration for funding. Programs like Second Chance and
Youthful Offenders in Waterloo are examples worth emulating and developing. The
former program focuses primarily on hard core delinquents (ages 14-18) and entails
meetings, exposure to the positive aspects of education, interacting and working with
others, and job experience. Area VII Job Training assists the youth in locating job
placements within the community. The latter program is an effort linked with Big
Brother/Big Sisters where the aim is to provide positive role models for younger youth.
Targeted Outreach could be another alternative approach which a program undertaken by
Boys and Girls Clubs of America and emphasizes strategies for the prevention of
delinquency.
In short, programs that emphasize socialization and job training are needed. In
addition, there is a need to coordinate with existing private agencies and groups for the
creation of programs to prevent delinquency and aid delinquents in their effort to
conform.
Recommendation: Priority Funding Consideration for Programs
That Involve Job Training and Positive Role
Models
Recommendation: Juvenile Court Services need to Increase
Efforts with Private Agencies and Groups
To Create and Develop Alternative Programs