WRI Past Projects . . .

Youth

Assessment and Treatment of Adolescent and Pre-Adolescent Sexual Abusers and Sexual Abuse Reactors — In 1997, WRI wrote a resource and referral guidebook for assessing and treating adolescent and pre-adolescent sexual abusers and sexual abuse reactors.  The guidebook contains chapters on assessment and evaluation, treatment, service providers, and a comprehensive bibliography.  A companion document, a directory of service providers in New York State, lists 85 programs and practitioners and provides information about their services, which was obtained from a survey conducted by WRI.  This project was funded by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Conference on Community Justice — WRI assisted the New York State Council on Children and Families in conducting a statewide conference on the concept of “balanced and restorative justice” as applied to the juvenile justice system.  WRI provided logistical support, including identifying and arranging for the site, national speakers, and panelists, and materials development support.  The Community Justice Conference was held on September 22-23, 1999 at the Omni Hotel in Albany.  Approximately 230 professionals (from juvenile justice, youth bureaus, mental health, schools, etc.) across the state attended.  The subsequent evaluation conducted by WRI indicated that the conference was very well received.

Evaluation of the School Construction Authority’s Summer Internship Program — The School Construction Authority’s Summer Internship Program gives New York City high school students (juniors and seniors) the opportunity to work in construction industry jobs over a six‑week period; the program consists, each week, of four days of on‑site work experience and one school‑based education day.  WRI’s evaluation of the program included an analysis of available descriptive materials; data collection and analyses from student interview questionnaires; questionnaire data from the student counselors who directly interact with the students; and interviews with key individuals participating in the oversight of the program, including some employers.  WRI evaluated the 1992, 1993, and 1994 programs.

Evaluation of the Teenage Pregnancy Services Networks — The New York City Youth Bureau funded five adolescent pregnancy services networks, one in each borough, to improve services for youth who are pregnant, parenting, or at risk of becoming pregnant, by improving service coordination among member agencies, providing information and referral services to adolescents, and improving services through advocacy.  In 1989, WRI conducted an evaluation of the networks to determine the extent to which they achieved their program objectives.  Based on findings from the evaluation, WRI made recommendations to the Youth Bureau for program improvement.

Evaluation of the YMCA Teen Action Program – From 1990 to the present (2003), WRI has been conducting evaluations of the Teen Action Program administered by the YMCA of Greater New York.  The program is designed to develop or improve leadership skills, interpersonal competence, literacy, workplace skills, and healthy life style of teens ages 11 – 14.  The program provides case management, individual counseling, and group work with activities such as setting goals, writing resumes, job-seeking, negotiating conflict, making decisions, and providing leadership.

Evaluation of the YMCA Youth Skills Certification Program — To help New York City youth develop employable skills, set goals, and grow in self-esteem, the YMCA of Greater New York created the Youth Skills Certification Program in partnership with AT&T.  Adolescent participants are offered 10-week courses in computer literacy, customer service, home and property improvement, and sports officiating and instructing.  WRI evaluated the effectiveness of  the programs in 1996, 1997, and 1998.

Handbook for Youth in Foster Care – Working with teens in foster care, WRI is writing and designing a handbook that outlines rights and responsibilities and gives information on health care, education, legal issues, sexuality, money, and day-to-day life in foster care.  The handbook will be distributed to youth ages 14-21 coming into care and already in care throughout New York State.  A workgroup from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services oversees the project.

Handbook for Youth in Foster Care: Madison and Oneida Counties — In 1997, WRI assisted the Madison County Department of Social Services in the development and production of a handbook for youth from age 11 who are in or about to be placed in foster care.  The handbook, which was developed with the help of the teens themselves, presents topics on the first day in foster care, how people become foster parents, what happens in court, visiting the biological family, having friends over, smoking, the use of alcohol and drugs, driving, dating, spending money, and similar subjects of interest to teens.  A similar handbook was adapted for Oneida County in November 2000.

Girls Between the Ages of Eight and Twelve:  Needs and Issues — This report was completed in late 1993 for Executive Women in Human Services, Center for Women and Girls at Risk, with funds from the New York City Department of Youth Services.  Beginning with a review of the literature into issues of self‑esteem and gender equity, the report describes major organizations and initiatives concerned with needs and issues of girls between the ages of eight and twelve.  It concludes with a summary of recommendations for prevention and intervention in addressing the needs of girls and for program and policy changes to enhance the development of confidence and competence in girls.

Partners for Fragile Families Demonstration Project — In 1998, WRI assisted the New York State Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) in submitting joint grant proposals with the NYC OCSE and two voluntary agencies, STRIVE and Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, to the National Center for Strategic Nonprofit Planning and Community Leadership (NPCL).  WRI represented the NYS OCSE during the planning grant stage and edited the final proposals.  Both proposals were subsequently funded.  The purpose was to create fatherhood development demonstration projects that encourage unmarried fathers to take responsibility for their children by establishing paternity, paying child support, and being involved at all levels.

School-Based Violence Prevention:  Issues, Strategies, and Programs — In response to widespread concern about violence in schools, the Ittleson Foundation, Inc. funded this study and the convening of a panel discussion to address school violence, particularly in New York City.  The report presents the panel deliberations, describes the scope and nature of school and community violence, provides a literature review, and describes key programs and initiatives within the context of nine violence prevention strategies.  Also included are a bibliography and a list of resource individuals and organizations with information on school violence.  The report was completed in late 1993.

Support for Public Health Campaign to Prevent Adolescent Pregnancy — In 1998, WRI assisted the New York State Office of Child Support Enforcement with its campaign to educate the public on the emotional, financial, and legal impacts of parenting.  WRI’s activities included developing a brochure and other materials to accompany a 15-minute video, writing a study guide to be used with the video, developing a distribution strategy for the video and study guide, and identifying potential sources of additional funding to support the project.  To determine whether the materials were received and were being used, WRI developed a survey to be administered by telephone to schools and youth programs from 10 different entities across New York State.  WRI administered the survey (making more than 100 contacts) and developed a report of findings.  This activity was funded by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.