NCJ Number
185594
Date Published
November 2000
Publication Series
Annotation
This two-part video of a live national satellite broadcast
portrays a panel presentation and phone-in questions that pertain
to the prevalence and causes of child (under 12 years old)
delinquency as well as early intervention measures.
Abstract
The video first presents a clip that provides an overview
of the problem of early childhood delinquency. It notes that the
percentage of young children who engage in delinquent behavior is
increasing, and such children are at greatest risk of becoming
chronic adolescent delinquents and adult criminals. The video
then presents the panel for the teleconference. It is composed of
Leena Augimeri, a representative of the Earlscourt Child and
Family Centre of Toronto Canada; Kate Keenan of the University of
Chicago's Department of Psychiatry; Rolf Loeber of the Life
History Studies Program; Howard Snyder, Director of Systems
Research of the National Center for Juvenile Justice; Carolyn
Webster-Stratton, director of the Parenting Clinic of the
University of Washington School of Nursing; and John Wilson,
acting administrator of the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention. Some of the panel members summarize the
findings of a study group that focused on the prevalence and
causes of early childhood delinquency. This group found that
delinquency in this age group is increasing, and the causes are
cumulative. There is no one cause of early delinquency; rather,
there are multiple causes that are linked to the community and
family influences generally found in high-crime communities. The
presentation then turns to the description of two intervention
programs designed for children at risk of delinquency. The
Incredible Years Training Series is profiled in a video clip.
This training program uses group discussion, videotape modeling,
and rehearsal intervention techniques to assist adults living and working with children ages 2 to 10. The series is designed to
prevent, reduce, and treat conduct problems among these children
and to increase their social competence. The second intervention
program described is Toronto's (Canada) Earlscourt Child and
Family Centre, which has developed the Under 12 Outreach Project.
This program was launched in 1985 in conjunction with the Toronto
Police Service to provide services to children who have had
police contact. The program involves parents, schools, and the
community. Questions on these programs and other panel topics are
posed by telephone and from the studio audience. A participants
packet accompanies the video presentation.
Date Published: November 1, 2000