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Programa shortstop: a culturally focused juvenile intervention for Hispanic youth
Richard C Cervantes1, Karen Ruan, Norma Dueñas
1Behavioral Assessment, Inc. and California State University, Long Beach, Berverly Hills, CA 90211, USA. bassessment@aol.com
Journal of Drug Education
|August 25, 2005
Summary
Programa Shortstop, a culturally focused intervention, significantly reduced recidivism in Hispanic juvenile offenders. The program also improved legal knowledge and substance abuse resistance in youth and parents.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Criminology
- Psychology
Background:
- Limited culturally sensitive interventions exist for Hispanic juvenile offenders.
- First-time Hispanic youth offenders often lack access to tailored delinquency and substance abuse programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally focused intervention for first-time Hispanic juvenile offenders.
- To decrease juvenile recidivism and enhance substance abuse resistance.
Main Methods:
- Programa Shortstop, a family-based intervention for Hispanic youth (ages 9-17), was delivered to 352 participants and their caregivers.
- A recidivism study analyzed 321 youth over a 5-year period.
- Paired t-tests assessed changes in legal knowledge and school-related factors.
Main Results:
- 89% of youth completing Programa Shortstop were not rearrested within one year.
- The intervention positively impacted legal knowledge and school factors linked to substance abuse and delinquency.
- Parents showed significant gains in knowledge about substance abuse and the legal system.
Conclusions:
- Programa Shortstop is an effective culturally tailored intervention for Hispanic juvenile offenders.
- The program successfully reduces recidivism and improves protective factors against substance abuse.
- Family-based, culturally sensitive approaches are crucial for addressing juvenile delinquency and substance abuse in this population.