It’s Not About the Art; It’s About the Artist

We actually need young people who are bold, willing to challenge conventional thinking, and to break rules, but we also need them to respect others, to rely on logic rather than force, and to appreciate the corrosive effects of violence and exploitation. In short, our communities need powerful and creative young people who want to improve us and not simply to fight us. These should seem like obvious concepts to anyone working around the youth justice system, but it is often surprisingly difficult to implement them in practice. Continue reading It’s Not About the Art; It’s About the Artist

Testimony to the New York City Council

Reducing delinquency and youth violence among justice-involved young people is a complicated business. Public safety is best protected when youth justice providers work with young people in their own communities, and when the efforts of courts and children’s services are coordinated with prevention agencies, schools, social services, neighborhood organizations, and faith-based groups. Continue reading Testimony to the New York City Council

Follow-up Guidebook

Agencies should follow up with former clients to assess their overall effectiveness. Following up with clients helps staff to learn about the long-term effects of programs and to adjust their efforts to increase their impact. Follow-up should begin at intake and it should be as simple and as seamless as possible. The Evidence Generation team created this Guidebook to help agencies conceptualize improved follow-up procedures. Continue reading Follow-up Guidebook

HOUR Children Evaluation Work Plan

Hour Children’s mission is to help incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children successfully rejoin the community, reunify with their families, and build healthy, independent and secure lives. Hour Children’s vision is to break the cycle of inter-generational incarceration. To accomplish this, Hour Children provides compassionate and comprehensive services and encourages all to live and interact with dignity and respect. Continue reading HOUR Children Evaluation Work Plan

Good Shepherd Services Evaluation Work Plan

This work plan was drafted specifically for the youth justice programs at Good Shepherd Services (GSS), to serve as a tool for its continued use in aiding court-involved youth. A key part of the GSS mission is to surround at-risk New York City youth and their families with a web of support that promotes self-sufficiency. The LIFE program at GSS is based on a theory … Continue reading Good Shepherd Services Evaluation Work Plan