Order 2064956: Field Project Proposal
tutorthammy
FinalProjectPowerpoint_3.pptxWeslaco Police Department
First-time Offender Program
Dayna Cazares
Senior Internship Enrollment Fee Proposal
AGENCY DESCRIPTION
The First Offender Program is a life skills education program designed to divert juvenile First Time Offenders from the juvenile justice system and to allow the youth an opportunity to expunge their arrest record.
Enrollment Criteria:
Youth between the ages of 10-16 years
Referred by Weslaco Police Department
First offenders (Class A, B, and State Jail Felonies)
Parental cooperation and agreement to participate in program
PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED
What is the need?
The First Offender Program, hereinafter, referred to as FOP, respectfully propose a $50 enrollment fee, effective January 01, 2020.
Why is it a need?
Commitment and accountability from youth and parent(s)/legal guardians is not received
Failure to attend sessions
Failure to check-in with Caseworker on a weekly basis
Failure to attend school regularly
Lack of funds
Group work youth/parent hands on materials
Program distribution materials (Flyers, brochures, etc.)
Client service assistance based on needs (Food, clothing, school supplies, transportation, gas, etc.)
DATA COLLECTED
Internship observation
Research Articles based on participants feedback of fee application
INTERVENTION APPLIED
The program aims to employ an enrollment fee as an intervention.
How often:
At every successful initial intake
THEORIES, FRAMEWORKS & SW SKILLS UTILIZED
Systems Theory
Problem-solving framework
Skills utilized:
Broker: identifying, locating, and linking clients with needed resources
AGENCY BENEFITS
Provides for youth rehabilitation
Beneficial resources for youth and family will be made available through funding
Maintaining youth connectedness and engagement in the community by providing volunteer opportunities
Holds eligible offenders accountable for their actions without formal court involvement
Assist them to better manage their risk
Reduction in cost compared to court processing and/or secure placement
Increase their chances for success
EVALUATION
The effectivness of the enrollment fee will be based on a pre/post-test.
ANTICIPATED BARRIER
Weslaco Chief of Police not viewing the proposed enrollment fee as a need for the program.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Provide clients with tangible services
Implement payment form for documentation
CONCLUSION
Why is project a worthwhile investment?
Program enhancements will be made possible
It will help fund clients and their families' resourceful and basic needs.
Most importantly it will gain commitment and accountability from youth and parent by paying into something and knowing they will gain something from it.
EVERYTHING COMES WITH A COST!
PERSONAL SELF-REFLECTION
This exercise has offered me the tools to work with communities and individuals through the process of behavioral change. I have gained knowledge about social work practice, about problems in people and in society and how they intersect. As such I have come to appreciate the truly significant synergistic result of combining education and real-life experience.
Competencies Applied:
3. Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
4. Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
5. Engage in Policy Practice
REFERENCES
Labriola, M., Reich, W. A., Davis, R. C., Hunt, P., Rempel, M., & Cherney, S. (2018). Prosecutor-Led Pretrial Diversion. Center for Court Innovation. Available on link https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251664.pdf
Rempel, M., Labriola, M., Hunt, P., Davis, R. C., Reich, W. A., & Cherney, S. (2018). NIJ’s Multisite Evaluation of Prosecutor-Led Diversion Programs. Center for Court Innovation. Available on link https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251665.pdf
