The academic and economic benefits of school spending are well-established, but focusing on these outcomes may underestimate the full social benefits of school spending. Recent increases in U.S. child mortality are driven by injuries and raise questions about what types of social investments could reduce child deaths. We use close school district…

THE EDUCATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL CAREER ORIENTATIONS OF YOUTH AND THE EFFECT OF ECONOMIC DISPARITIES ON THEIR CHOICES WERE STUDIED. A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS CONSTRUCTED, VALIDATED, AND ADMINISTERED TO 3,047 SECONDARY SCHOOL SOPHOMORE MALES IN 6 THIRD-CLASS CITIES. ONE-HALF OF THE CITIES WERE ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS. THE OTHER THREE WERE…

Investigated the magnitude of juvenile violence in Pennsylvania in terms of victimization and perpetration. Used archival data on violent crimes in Pennsylvania during 1993 to develop cost estimates reflecting the costs incurred by society for both victims and perpetrators. Overall, violence against children and adolescents proved to be a much…

Describes a pilot project in York, Pennsylvania which provides therapy for the families of status offender youths (i.e. incorrigibles, runaways, truants). Results indicate that the program is effective in reducing placements and costs. (BD)

This case study documents reform policies and practices for handling juveniles, and the development of complete monitoring of child welfare and juvenile facilities. Due to the work of citizen and child advocacy groups, ways have been developed in Pennsylvania to determine whether state and federal laws regarding institutionalized children are…

Juvenile crime and its immediate and long-term economic and human costs have become a national concern. Programs to prevent and reduce delinquency have developed across the country and one such program in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (which includes Pittsburgh) is described in this bulletin. The Allegheny program exemplifies a large-scale,…

Answers to commonly asked questions about female gang members. Girls typically join gangs at age 14 to 15. If given alternatives, females will often leave gangs sooner than males. Female gang members are respected, and see themselves as strong, committed soldiers. Includes "Myths about Females in Gangs" and suggestions for additional…

In 2002, the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh established the Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP). CRSP, which is the first race research center to be housed in a school of social work, has six foci: economic disparities; educational disparities; interracial group relations; mental health; youth, families, and elderly;…

Describes the principles of the Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) model and how these principles are expressed in a program serving delinquent and dependent youth in Pennsylvania. Discusses creating a BARJ culture, competency-based curriculum, unique features of the Pennsylvania program, and student discipline. (SR)

Youth violence and delinquency are problems that continue to challenge many communities across the U.S. For over a decade, Pennsylvania has been a national leader in confronting youth problem behaviors in a progressive and proactive fashion, investing heavily in supporting local community prevention coalitions and the use of proven-effective…

The Governor's Task Force on the Mental Health of Juvenile Offenders in the state of Pennsylvania conducted a statewide survey of facilities for the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age. The Task Force surveyed mental hospitals, community-based services, private psychiatric treatment centers, youth…

This report contains the second year evaluation of the Student Assistance Program (SAP) in Pennsylvania. These school-based and school-linked programs address barriers to learning for youth at risk for social and emotional problems, drug and alcohol use and abuse, and depression. Second year evaluation focused on identifying essential components…

A survey was conducted by the Rural Sociology Section of The Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Service and the Montour County Extension Association, utilizing 323 ninth through twelfth grade in-school youth and 199 parents. Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Three specific objectives of the survey…

This report is based on a review of literature, statistical data, and a range of community-based programs for juvenile offenders, studied during the past 5 years by the National Governors' Association. The report provides an overview of innovative approaches to program design and coordination of services for delinquent youth. It describes several…