At-Risk Juveniles and the

Controlled Release of Anti-

Social Behaviors:Using Athletics to Reduce Future

Criminal Involvement.

By Whitney Black

CCJ 6931Florida Atlantic University

Literature History of the reform effort Stakeholders Potential obstacles Inter-agency cooperation Specifics of my project Future plans Advice for others Video Presentation

Contents

After-school Programs for At-Risk Youth

AT-RISK: Indicates the presence of negative conditions and specific negative behaviors or experiences that are likely to lead to problem behaviors that have more serious long-term consequences.

After-school programs provide a safe and controlled environment for children in high-risk situations while increasing self-esteem and life skills. Absence of these community programs has been linked to elevated levels of juvenile crime.

SPORT AS A DETERRENCE

Sport as character-building model: assumes that sports build character, self-discipline and self-esteem. Sport as mobility model: use sports as a more tangible and direct vehicle for social incorporation.

Sport as social control model: additional level of surveillance and control over groups of youth.

Sport as hook model: identifies sports as a tool that can influence groups of high-risk youth and provide opportunities not traditionally afforded to them.

Ex. The Mayor’s Night Hoops Program:Kansas City, Missouri, targeted at-risk youth through a midnight basketball program during the summer. Encouraged educational enrichment and positive involvement in sports.*Kansas City Police reported an extreme drop in juvenile crime attributed to the program.

Elements of Success Strong leadership

Consistency

Physical and psychological safety

Positive social norms

Supportive relationships

Skill building

Integration of family, school and community

Athletics are not the only answer to the issue of juvenile crime, however, they can serve as an adequate tool to engage at-risk youth and teach positive outlets for their interpersonal conflicts.

There was a gap in the research regarding cooperation between mental health components and the recreational programs. Bridging this gap was the inspiration for my project.

HISTORYPolice Athletic Leagues:Non-profit organization operating nationwide that focuses on the development of skills, relationships and positive activities in a safe, non-intimidating environment. No requirements for participation, serving ages 9-18.

Boca Raton Chapter began in 1991Mission of the Boca Raton PAL:To provide means for the exchange of ideas, experiences and information regarding youth problems, treatments and solutions.To coordinate programs and activities which contribute to the development of character, integrity, physical and mental fitness and the attainment of positive personal objectivesTo foster a closer relationship between law enforcement officers and the youth of our community which builds understanding, respect and trust.To reduce youth crime, violence, alcohol and drug abuse through positive interactions and activities.

Key Stakeholders:Organization (PAL etc…)

Participants in the program (Youth)

Primary Stakeholders:Family of the participants

Secondary Stakeholders:Community and Schools

Potential Obstacles: All stakeholders must develop a passion to influence change. Staff training is crucial for success. The mission of the program must be implemented in every aspect of the participant’s life *Consistency is the key. Most importantly, the youth participating must be willing to engage themselves and change their behavior.

Funding: There is only one federal source of funding dedicated solely to after-school programs. According to a study by University of Florida, those who receive funding are effective in improving academic performance, school attendance, discipline and social behaviors.

Interagency CooperationSpecific to my project, interagency cooperation plays a major role:

-The community center and Pearl City Cats receives full funding from Boca Raton Housing Authority.

-The children are given a spot in the CATS program through Family Central

-Boys in the program receive full scholarships to play for Boca Jets football team

-This scholarship depends on the children’s behavior in school as well as at the community center.

-My survey was developed in cooperation with Palm Beach County Mental Health Association

A.I.A.Y.Athletic Initiative for Anti-Social Youth

I volunteered with the Pearl City CATS after-school program held at the Lois Martin Community Center in Boca Raton, Florida.During two one-hour sessions, I utilized fitness and athletics to engage four children ( two girls ages 8, 11 and two boys ages 9, 11).

I developed a 15 question survey in coordination with Palm Beach County Mental Health’s Dr. Liz White, that recorded the levels of anti-social behaviors that the children exhibited based on a Likert-scale of 1 to 5. The questions were designed to assess the hallmarks of anti-social behavior. Ex: how often do you think about hurting yourself?

One survey was administered before the first session on November 18th and again the same survey was given after the second session on December 2nd.

Purple- Session 1 Blue-Session 2

numbers 3-15 correspond to survey questions.

Figure 1: Mean averages of survey questions. This graph illustrates the comparison of mean averages in survey questions between session one and session two.

My project’s intent was simply to influence negative behaviors by providing A positive outlet for the stressors that the children experience. Boca Raton provides Opportunities through their Police Athletic League and the affiliate Pearl City CATS for at-risk youth to be involved in recreational activities. My reform project utilized these opportunities but also established a mental health component designed to recognize the core issues of their negative behaviors, something not currently being done in their program.

Goals and Objectives:1. Develop comprehensive training program that provides an outlet for

negative behaviors.2. Develop tools for identifying anti-social behavior in youth.3. Train 4-10 youth in two, one-hour sessions4. Gain approval in writing from the organization to do future sessions.

Did I achieve these goals? YES

I was able to fully implement my reform in an appropriate setting that allowed me to test the theory behind my project. I know the mental health component was lacking to say the least, but I feel as though it was a good effort to identify some emotions and thoughts that could be behind the behavioral issues of the four children I worked with.

Successes & FailuresDesign- mental health component was lacking

Implementation- fully successful, needed more sessions

Results- Data was flawed, method was far from

adequate…

Theory/research- there were definitely bumps in this

road…

The Future:

Letter of intent from

Pearl City CATS to continue involvement.Verbal agreement

to start a basketball

team with CATSI meet with the director during the

break to set up future times.

For others interested in this project: The most important thing for me was finding a way to relate to the kids and keep them engaged during our sessions. The community center was thrilled to have volunteer help and the kids were thrilled to have somebody spend time with them.

The Faces of My Project…