To discuss the program, After Care, that helps youth on probation stay free.

OVERVIEW

The After Care Program, serving San Diego County, California, aims to keep convicted youth from committing new offenses. Probation officers in the program bear lighter caseloads, thus allowing them more time to check on their clients. Supervising probation officer Rick Fairchild says the program is a vital to an adolescent’s transition from residential treatment to freedom.

PROGRAM GOALS

The concept of the program is "aid in transition." It is part of a multi-layered approach to reduce the number of teens who return to crime after serving sentences. Those who work in the program want to see young people make a successful return to the community.

PROGRAM METHODS

An assessment team comprised of the young person’s probation officer, a school counselor, a social worker, and a mental health worker meet to determine his or her needs. They develop a case plan that involves the entire family. In this way, the program helps not only juvenile offenders but their parents and siblings too. Probation officers take considerable steps to help integrate young people back into their families, school (where applicable), and jobs.

PROGRAM OPERATION

After Care was established with federal money. After these resources dried up, the Probation Department decided to continue it. Deputy chief probation officer Linda Duffy says that she and other program workers are determined to keep it going with whatever revenues they receive from the county.

PROGRAM TESTIMONIES

Since its establishment in September of 1995, the program appears to be working Only two of the 100 kids involved in the program are thought to have committed additional crimes after completion of After Care. A former crystal methamphetamine addict and a former gang member both say that the program was instrumental in keeping them straight. Another gang member says "The other probations, they just let me out...It’s like giving me time to get in trouble." After completing treatment in the Arizona Boys Ranch and going through the After Care Program, he said "Now I know who I am...Call my own shots, make my own decisions."

Source: Lau, A. (1996, February 20). After Care helps those "at risk" stay free. San Diego Union Tribune, pp. B1, B3.

IMPLICATIONS

1. With the rapidly increasing number of violent juvenile crimes, juvenile justice officials are working to keep young people who have served time from returning to crime. After Care is designed to help these young people transition from the justice system to the community.
2. Young people who have turned to crime need guidance and affirmation in order to recognize their value to the community.

Sheila Walsh cCYS