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Statewide Evaluation of the CYSA/TANF Program. Final Report.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Statewide Evaluation of the CYSA/TANF Program. Final Report.
Language: English
Authors: Turner, Susan, Davis, Lois M., Steinberg, Paul S., Fain, Terry
Availability: RAND, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138 ($20). Tel: 877-584-8642 (Toll Free); Tel: 310-451-7002; Fax: 310-451-6915; e-mail: order@rand.org; Web site: http://www.rand.org/. For full text: http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1730/MR1730.pdf.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 122
Publication Date: 2003
Intended Audience: Policymakers
Document Type: Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Adolescents, At Risk Persons, Compliance (Legal), Crime Prevention, Daily Living Skills, Delinquency, Delinquency Prevention, Delinquent Rehabilitation, Delivery Systems, Integrated Services, Juvenile Justice, Probationary Period, Program Effectiveness, Public Policy, Resource Allocation, State Legislation, State Programs, Statewide Planning, Youth Problems, Youth Programs
Geographic Terms: California
Abstract: The Comprehensive Youth Services Act (CYSA), which was enacted in 1997 to fund juvenile probation services, had the following three basic goals: (1) keep probation youths from further crime; (2) help probation and at-risk youths develop essential skills to avoid dependence on public assistance; and (3) help achieve overarching federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Family (TANF) goals. In evaluating the success of CYSA/TANF in accomplishing these goals, the following five areas were explored: (1) program implementation; (2) services provided; (3) services and programs provided in juvenile halls and camps/ranches; (4) the impact at the individual and system level; and (5) the funding environment and county claiming experiences. Overall, county probation departments (CPD) appear to have closely followed the planning guidelines laid out in the CYSA. The 23 services eligible for CYSA/TANF funding were provided in the context of a number of different programs, and the CPDs used their CYSA/TANF funds both to add new services and to enhance existing services in the service delivery areas stipulated by the legislation. Lessons learned during the evaluation occurred in the following areas: (1) tightening legislative intent; (2) demonstrating program effectiveness; and (3) understanding the difference between large and small counties. (Contains 22 figures, 31 tables, and 5 references.) (MO)
Entry Date: 2004
Accession Number: ED482532
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The Comprehensive Youth Services Act (CYSA), which was enacted in 1997 to fund juvenile probation services, had the following three basic goals: (1) keep probation youths from further crime; (2) help probation and at-risk youths develop essential skills to avoid dependence on public assistance; and (3) help achieve overarching federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Family (TANF) goals. In evaluating the success of CYSA/TANF in accomplishing these goals, the following five areas were explored: (1) program implementation; (2) services provided; (3) services and programs provided in juvenile halls and camps/ranches; (4) the impact at the individual and system level; and (5) the funding environment and county claiming experiences. Overall, county probation departments (CPD) appear to have closely followed the planning guidelines laid out in the CYSA. The 23 services eligible for CYSA/TANF funding were provided in the context of a number of different programs, and the CPDs used their CYSA/TANF funds both to add new services and to enhance existing services in the service delivery areas stipulated by the legislation. Lessons learned during the evaluation occurred in the following areas: (1) tightening legislative intent; (2) demonstrating program effectiveness; and (3) understanding the difference between large and small counties. (Contains 22 figures, 31 tables, and 5 references.) (MO)