ERIC Number: EJ1417048
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 31
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-0159
EISSN: EISSN-0740-2708
Available Date: N/A
Ready for Wages: A Social Skills Intervention to Improve Employability of Youth Living in Juvenile Justice Settings
Deanne K. Unruh; Keith Smolkowski; Jeff M. Gau; Kyle Reardon; Katherine W. Bromley; John R. Seeley; Lisa A. Strycker
Journal of Correctional Education, v75 n1 p37-67 2024
This cluster-randomized efficacy trial evaluated the impact of the Ready for Wages intervention, a classroom-based social skills program designed to improve the employability of youth living and being educated in juvenile justice settings. Fifteen juvenile justice facility schools participated. Data were collected from 118 classrooms: 59 treatment and 59 business-as-usual control. There were no statistically significant differences across conditions on the outcome measures, although differences favored the intervention group. Implementation was hampered by challenges associated with conducting research in authentic juvenile settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only half of the planned data collection could be completed. Despite the null findings of this study, more research in juvenile justice facilities is warranted to identify evidence-based practices that support prosocial behavior. Group intervention offers a cost-effective approach to reducing recidivism in a very high-risk population, with potential benefits for individuals and society in general.
Descriptors: Employment Qualifications, Job Skills, Juvenile Justice, Correctional Education, Institutionalized Persons, Interpersonal Competence, Skill Development, Program Effectiveness, Delinquency, Adolescents
Correctional Education Association. 8182 Lark Brown Road Suite 202, Elkridge, MD 21075. Tel: 443-459-3080; Fax: 443-459-3088; e-mail: ceaoffice@aol.com; Web site: http://www.ceanational.org
Related Records: ED645655
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A