The results of four studies conducted to measure the effectiveness of Clinical Rehabilitation Support Teams (Project CREST) are summarized. Professional counseling was provided to delinquent youths, as were regular probation services--a dual-treatment model. Studies indicate that clients in the CREST program have consistently shown decreased…

Families can help delinquents change. Behavioral family contracting applies the social learning approach to a series of family agreements or contracts. It provides structure, a natural system for learning and changing, commitment, and responsibility. (Author/LHW)

Reviews the rationale for social skills training with delinquents. Describes one program that uses discussion, modeling, role-playing, positive reinforcement, and shaping. Presents four scales for behavioral assessment to access social skills, assertion/aggression, violation of minor rules and regulations, and evaluation of the program by each…

Reviews various social learning and counseling approaches utilized by psychotherapists in one-to-one clinical behavior therapy. Behavior analysis, family contracting, and social skills training are used as are other office-based clinical behavior therapy techniques to help delinquents change. (Author/LHW)

Presents the social learning approaches in group homes for delinquents as an alternative to institutionalization. Describes two behavioral group homes that are not only effective but cost less than institutions. (Author/LHW)

By introducing creative writing to preadolescent and adolescent youth in a detention center in Missouri, the program hoped to change their perceptions of their lack of language skills. The leader separated idea generation from mechanical composition. The variety of activities provided opportunities to make each participant feel valued and…

A former client of the juvenile justice system argues that neither punitive attack nor passive inaction will cause delinquency to go away. Research suggests the use of early delinquency as an opportunity to alter the trajectory of a life headed toward crime. Rather than focusing on recidivism, researchers should focus on successful rehabilitation.…

Article challenges the prevailing political and public attitudes about locking up children who hate in juvenile facilities. Three promising reforms are discussed: information-networking systems that facilitate coordination of services among juvenile justice stakeholders; alternatives to detention programs; and Multisystemic Therapy. A…

The evaluation of a juvenile diversion program by Quay and Love (1977) is criticized for employing follow-up periods of differing durations. A second article by Quay and Love responds to Mrad's suggestion that the experimental effect was due to a greater post-program exposure time for the control group. (LPG)

Describes three types of theories of crime and delinquency. Notes why arrest, juvenile justice, and probation do not seem to work. Describes delinquent behaviors which are maintained by consequents. Discusses resistance and noncompliance as behaviors to be specified, analyzed, and addressed directly. (Author/LHW)

Reviews the application of social learning approaches to helping delinquents change in institutions. Incarceration is not effective in changing delinquent behavior, and may even foster it through exposure and influence of delinquent peer models. (Author/LHW)

Reviews probation training programs and probation contracting, the application of social learning to this field. Probation and the social learning approach are compatible: both stress intervention and prevention of further problems directly in the natural environment by natural mediators. (Author/LHW)

Presents social learning perspectives on delinquency. Reviews programs that have tried to understand, prevent, or change delinquent behavior in the community. (Author/LHW)

Comparative research in juvenile delinquency provides criminal justice professionals with a mechanism for better decision-making. This study analyzed juvenile probationer arraignments and the offender risk/need classification assessment to better understand juvenile court careers and probation recidivism. Analyses were based on data generated by…

This paper addresses the concept of child advocacy as a service strategy for troubled youth, particularly juvenile delinquents. The shortcomings of more traditional approaches to these youth and the concomitant recommendations for the use of advocacy are reviewed. The lack of clearly specified operating principles and techniques for advocacy…