Differences between Model and Promising Juvenile Deviance Prevention Programs - Essay Example

Model programs represent current programs in effect in various areas with success rates already established. As a result, it is at times difficult to understand the need for additional programs which are labeled as promising programs. These programs do not have the established record of delinquency prevention that the model programs do and must rely on data that is not always based on success but on the potential for success.

The National Gang Center defines a promising program as the following. “Level 3 programs display a strong theoretical base and have been demonstrated to prevent delinquency and other child and youthful problems or to reduce risk factors or enhance protective factors using limited research methods (with at least single-group pretreatment and post-treatment measurements). The programs in this category appear promising but must be confirmed using more rigorous scientific techniques. The main reason is that a control group is not required in the research design.” (Programs)

Some of the available programs range from community-based rehabilitation programs to prevention-based educational programs. The benefits of working programs are readily quantifiable however; they still must be proven to become model programs for future approaches. The process by which programs become model programs can be plagued with research problems as each researcher tends to have varying views as to what works and what does not. According to Greenwood, “Different reviewers often come to very different conclusions about what does and does not work.” (Greenwood 188)

Project Northland is a promising program that introduces itself as a program that promotes the use of educational materials in the classroom as well as at home. The program initiators utilize several well-known studies to support their approach, “The Project Northland programs begin with pre-teens in the 6th grade because studies show that alcohol use often begins during early adolescence.” (Project Northland) The use of education is a format that has shown promise in model programs as well which is a benefit. Another program, the School Transitional Environment Project (STEP) utilized, “Strategies are also employed to reduce student anonymity, increase student accountability, and clarify students’ understanding of school rules and expectations. These key features are implemented through the homeroom teacher’s interaction with the students and their families.” (Felner) Both of these programs utilized the educational approach which reflected positive outcomes in both programs.

The Nurturing Parenting Programs presented by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention depend on the understanding of the medical and psychological aspects of the role of nurturing or abusive parents in juvenile delinquency. The paper describing this program states, “Children who see and experience recurrent episodes of serious violence in their own families learn and believe violence is a useful way to solve problems.” (Bavolek, Ph.D.) The idea behind this program is the advancement of the family unit in a nurturing way over that of the abusive family unit. Another similar promising program is the Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP) the results from the review of this program were mixed, “Female mentors paired with boys reported that they observed significantly less improvement than did their male counterparts…” (Novotney, Mertinko, Lange, Baker 5)

In conclusion, the results of the promising programs looked show potential for benefit to the juvenile delinquency problem. Read More