The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 allowed the establishment of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in order to address concerns of juvenile delinquency in addition to improving the juvenile justice system practices. There are several types of delinquency prevention programs whose main purpose is to prevent delinquency from occurring. This is done by teaching the youth specific skills, educating, and occupying their time with programs that are beneficial for their future so that they do not become involved with crime.
In this paper two delinquency prevention programs will be discussed, after-school programs and job training programs, thus understanding their purpose within the communities. After-school programs are part of delinquency prevention in the teenage years. More than two-thirds of married couples in which both parents work have teenage children between 6 and 17 years old who are left unattended after school; the rate is even higher for single parent homes.
The fact that these children are left unattended, is believed to be the cause of the increase of delinquency throughout various communities. After-school programs, oversee and occupy the time these children that go unattended between the time school ends and the time parents return from work, usually between the hours of 2 p. m. and 6 p. m. (Larry & Brandon, 253) In recent years, these programs have become more popular, the preferred method of engagement to deter delinquency.
In past decades, it was typically grandparents who watched over the children during this time, however, due to financial reasons, they also continue to work becoming unable to watch the children. The parents then look for after-school programs for the supervision of the children during their absence. Not every parent can afford care expenses, therefore these programs offer their services at low cost to each family. While these programs are designed to meet, parents need they are also designed to meet the need of the children.
After-school programs funded by the Department of Education to assist children in preparing for standardized tests (Comstock). A study conducted in 2014 found an increase of participation from 6. 5 million children the previous decade to more than 10 million in that year. From that same study, it was also concluded that more children would participate if the program existed in their area. Each program is distinct, engaging in various areas, such as art, recreational sports, or study groups.
Accordingly, the funding for these programs are budgeted at state and federal levels, further enabling underprivileged children to partake in such activities like recreational sports. The Boys and Girls Club of America is one of many programs that fall within after-school programs. The Boys and Girls Club of America is one of the most successful after-school programs founded in 1906. Its history traces back to three women, Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin and Elizabeth Hammersley, who felt that unattended boys should have an alternate option that is conducive to their future.
It is then that The Boys Club was formed, however, it wasn’t until 1990 that it became The Boys and Girls Club of America when it was recognized that girls were also part of the cause; a safe place where children get to learn and grow while having fun. Furthermore, focusing on character development as the basic building block in personal development (B and G Web), the first club professional created a plan of guidance in order to capture the interest of young children while improving their behavior, setting goals, and taking them off the streets.
The youth of our society continues to be faced with many challenges like poverty and dropping out of school. Factors such as these threaten the future of these young individuals. The Boys and Girls Club of America care about the youth and continue to remain vigilant by creating safe havens for them. Additionally, they provide guidance and mentorship the best interests of the participants of the program. Always believing that child safety is the priority of the club and their work is never done ( WEB).
Moreover, to better support the children of The Boys and Girls Club of America, it has created a six-step plan and established a 24-hour hotline that includes the most up to date expertise in preventing delinquency. The plan is formulated based on three approaches, academic, enrichment, or school engagement. Nonetheless, the end state is to ensure that every member graduates school in addition to acquiring the necessary skills needed to make an easier transition on to college.
Approximately 66 percent of the youth impacted are between 6 and 12 years old, 19 percent are between 13 and 15 years old, 10 percent are 16 years and older and 5 percent are 5 years old and younger. Of those, 30 percent are white, 27 percent are African-America, and 23 percent are Hispanic, making the bulk of the group. Furthermore, the difference between male and females in the program is very minor making males 55 percent of the population and females the other 45 percent.
The second type of prevention program discussed is job training, also part of delinquency prevention during the teenage years by preparing the youth population to enter the workforce. The concept here is to help them improve the chances of being able to obtain an honest job, thus reducing their chances of becoming delinquent and involved with the justice system. The focus is centered on youth with troubled backgrounds, high school dropouts, and other risk factors that diminishes the chances of securing a well-paying job once they have entered adulthood ( aiwgwl 455).
Furthermore, not only do job training programs benefit teenagers by attaining the necessary skills to become successful, but also enables them to overcome current obstacles; they will be developed into substantially more marketable individuals on the job market. Approximately more than one-third of public school students in the United States will drop out before they graduate, made up by half of all African American and Hispanic students (OJJP). Those who find themselves in these types of situations require the help of an individual that will guide them in a positive direction.
Prevention is emphasized on the requirement of a program that can encompass a large scope of areas to include educational and workforce needs. Moreover, there are several programs that vary in the depth services offered, career curricula-usually integrated into high school, summer work and subsidized employment-limited to a few months, short term training with job placement- 6-month vocational program and attains job, and long-term intensive residential programs- the most comprehensive of all.
The efforts here include partnership with various agencies that provide a wide range of supporting services such as counseling, mentoring, internships and jobshadowing (OJJP ). The Workforce Act passed in 1998, further reinforced and provided the services needed for these types of programs. This could not have been possible without the joint effort of the juvenile justice system. One of the most prominent programs that fall into this type of programs is Job Corps.
The Job Corps is a network of 125 campuses across the United States administered by the Department of labor, offering allencompassing variety of services for at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 24. Participants have been receiving career development training approach which integrates the teaching of academic, vocational, employability skills and social competencies through a combination of classroom, practical and based learning experiences to prepare youth for stable, long-term, high paying jobs since 1964 ( Job orps site).
The services received are formulated towards the individual needs of each member in order to effectively employ and avoid mismanagement of services. The training and development is divided into different periods, first they go into career preparation period where they learn basic communication and responsibility skills key for employment. Following is career development period where they learn more technical and problem solving skills are ready to begin job searching.
Lastly, they enter a career transition period where they have graduated the program, are successfully employed and able to fully support themselves. Ultimately the Job Corp is a free program that helps participant attain their GED and job placement as a successful member of society. In conclusion, we have discussed after-school programs and job training programs who emphasize on the prevention of delinquency during the teenage years. These programs have been introduced by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to homes who find value in the services provided.
In the absence of parents, the programs have been able to teach specific skills, educa and occupy the time of unattended youth so that they can become integrated into society without being involved in delinquency. After taking part in either program, the youth have become better prepared to take on the challenges of life. The most important takeaway is the success and continuous accomplishments of delinquency prevention programs within our communities.
