Assessing the Effectiveness of a Program
Examine the different levels of programs and provide an example for each level. When introducing a program to the discussion, provide a brief description of the program, its intended purpose, and the target juvenile population. Discuss your perceptions of these programs’ effectiveness. How did you come to your conclusion on effectiveness?
Select one bullet below and present the positives and the negatives for the issue addressed:
- Does every juvenile who has been arrested need treatment? Should all juveniles arrested receive the same treatment services? Why or why not?
- Should prevention programs be given to everyone, and if so, where? Should we consider ethnicity, race, education, socioeconomic standing?
- Are the services worth the taxpayer costs? Consider both financial and social costs.
- Should we mandate prevention for school-aged children, their parents, or for both? What if the parents refuse to participate?
- What role does the state have in addressing pre-criminal status offenses or delinquent behavior? Should the state have the authority to force parents to participate? What sanctions should the state have to enforce compliance?
- Does every juvenile who has been arrested need treatment? It is not appropriate to generalize that every juvenile who has been arrested needs treatment. The specific needs and circumstances of each juvenile must be considered in determining the appropriate response. Some juveniles may require treatment or rehabilitation, while others may need a different response such as educational or employment support, or community-based interventions.
- Should all juveniles arrested receive the same treatment services? No, not all juveniles arrested should receive the same treatment services. The type of treatment required should be tailored to the specific needs of each individual and the nature of the offense committed. This can involve considering factors such as the severity of the crime, the history of the individual, and the circumstances leading up to the offense.
- Prevention programs for everyone Prevention programs can be an effective way of reducing juvenile offending, but it is important to consider the needs and circumstances of the intended target population. Ethnicity, race, education, and socioeconomic standing can all be relevant factors in determining the appropriate prevention program for a particular group. That being said, prevention programs should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.
- Worth the taxpayer costs The cost of prevention programs must be weighed against the potential benefits, both financial and social. On one hand, investment in prevention programs can help reduce the need for more costly interventions, such as detention and rehabilitation, and can lead to a reduction in recidivism. On the other hand, the cost of providing prevention programs may be substantial, and there may be concerns about their effectiveness. Ultimately, the decision on whether the services are worth the taxpayer costs will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of program, the target population, and the resources available.
- Mandating prevention for school-aged children, their parents, or both? The decision to mandate prevention programs for school-aged children, their parents, or both will depend on the specific circumstances and needs of the community. In some cases, it may be appropriate to target school-aged children, while in other cases, it may be necessary to involve their parents in the prevention efforts. However, it is important to recognize that not all parents will be willing or able to participate in prevention programs.
- Role of the state and enforcement of compliance The state has a responsibility to address pre-criminal status offenses and delinquent behavior in order to promote public safety and protect the well-being of its citizens. While the state can encourage and provide incentives for parents to participate in prevention programs, it is not appropriate for the state to force participation. Instead, the state should work with parents, communities, and other stakeholders to identify and address the underlying causes of delinquent behavior, and provide the support and resources needed to prevent it from recurring. The state may use a range of sanctions to enforce compliance with prevention programs, including fines, community service, or referral to other programs, but these should be proportionate and aimed at promoting rehabilitation and reintegration.