The continuum-of-care services for at-risk and delinquent girls component focuses on providing comprehensive gender-specific prevention, intervention, and treatment services to young women, along with case management and followup. Dryfoos (1990) notes that girls with low basic academic skills are five to seven times more likely to become teen mothers. Acoca and Austin (1996) found that about three-quarters of female offenders were exposed to violence as children. Other risk factors include association with an antisocial peer group (Hugo and Rutherford, 1992), dropping out of school (Snyder and Sickmund, 1995), substance abuse (Bergsmann, 1994; Dryfoos, 1990), and sexual abuse (Acoca and Austin, 1996).

s many as 10 percent of young females are at extremely high risk for serious criminal activity.

Numerous studies suggest that as many as 10 percent of young females are at extremely high risk for serious criminal activity (Dryfoos, 1990; Reiss and Roth, 1993; Wilson and Howell, 1993). Between 1983 and 1993, the number of females involved in the juvenile justice system grew disproportionately compared with males, including faster increases in the number of person and delinquency offenses (Girls Incorporated, 1996). By 1994, girls constituted one-quarter of all juvenile arrests (Poe-Yamagata and Butts, 1996). Female juvenile offenders exhibit many of the same risk factors common to delinquent males, including physical or emotional abuse, low economic status, and poor parenting (Bergsmann, 1988; Crawford, 1988; Sarri, 1988, in Bergsmann, 1989), but tend to receive fewer services, including fewer preventive services (U.S. General Accounting Office, 1995). Burt, Resnick, and Matheson (1992) report that early identification and treatment, long-term program commitment, individualized attention, skill enhancement, life options, vocational orientation, and greater community involvement can increase girls’ protective factors.

This component is intended to provide services that meet the unique emotional and developmental needs of young women. A maximum of $120,000 per year is available to each SafeFutures site under Part C of the JJDP Act. The anticipated gender-specific programming may include health education (e.g., an introduction to female anatomy and self-care, basics on appropriate prenatal care, and information about safe sex), health services, parenting skills, or childcare services for girls who are parents. It also may include activities supporting basic education, job training, life management skills, and personal growth focused on developing a more positive self-image and greater sense of responsibility.

As noted previously, funds for girls’ programming were sometimes combined with funds from other components. Contra Costa County and Seattle, for example, combined funds from the juvenile mentoring program and the services for at-risk and delinquent girls components to support mentoring programs targeted to girls, and one of Seattle’s mental health programs (Sibling Support, discussed previously) also targets this group. It should be kept in mind that the programs specifically identified as serving at-risk girls were not the only sources of gender-specific programming. The demonstration sites incorporated gender-specific programming in other components (such as afterschool programs) to varying degrees.

eattle’s Cambodian Girls Group is an example of one of the more comprehensive gender-specific programs.

Seattle’s Cambodian Girls Group (CGG) is an example of one of the more comprehensive gender-specific programs. It is also an example of cultural competency in programming.

Seattle, WA. The Cambodian Girls Group (renamed Help Each Other Reach the Sky in year 3) provides intensive case management, mental health services, job skills training, employment and career exploration opportunities, tutoring, and counseling to teenage Cambodian girls. Girls served by CGG tend to have family members or friends who are involved with gangs, with others who are gang involved, or with the justice system. The girls come from immigrant/refugee families with high levels of conflict, and parents may be in treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder or depression.

CGG includes participation in age-appropriate support groups, mandatory tutoring (3 days per week), employment (5–6 hours per week) at various organizations that provide job skills and compensation, and parental involvement in family therapy/parenting classes (discussed in the section “Family Strengthening and Support Services”). Family therapy sessions bring parents and daughters together for a limited number of sessions to discuss issues relevant to both parties. All girls are required to participate in support groups, while one-on-one counseling is provided on an as-needed basis. Girls must meet work/tutoring/therapy attendance requirements to receive full stipends for participation in the program.

Boston finalized its girls’ program model in the latter part of year 2, when it subcontracted with an existing agency that provides a range of gender-specific services.

Boston, MA. ReVision House provides transitional housing for young mothers and their children for up to 2 years and a shelter serving women for up to 6 months. Residents are required to participate in job training or education activities and parenting workshops (which also address health and hygiene). ReVision House promotes involvement in urban farming, which is believed to facilitate access to agricultural, environmental, or horticultural careers. Staff provide training to promote self-sufficiency and help residents find housing.

SafeFutures funding supports stipends for three resident interns (young mothers in their late teens). Interns work 20 hours per week and spend their remaining time involved in activities offered or encouraged by ReVision House, including chores, budgeting workshops, and appointments to seek housing (the primary goal for women in the program). Intern efforts at ReVision include working in the garden and fish farm, helping with the farmer’s market stand, and promotional activities. Interns also help coordinate workshops for other residents on a wide range of topics.

The interns also work with at-risk girls (ages 14–18) from several SafeFutures partner organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Club, Franklin Field, Perkins Community Center). Assignments have included providing training for a “double-dutch” jump rope competition and providing tours and workshops about fish farming and herb cultivation. Some girls in the partner agency programs also receive peer leadership training at ReVision that enables them to make presentations or perform other functions as designated by the partner agencies. For example, Franklin Field peer leaders work with younger girls, and those at the Boys & Girls Club assist with afterschool activities there. Peer leaders also spend time at ReVision, helping with garden work and the weekly farm stand.

Comprehensive Responses to Youth At Risk: Interim Findings From the SafeFutures Initiative

OJJDP Summary • November 2000