Support Services for At-Risk Youth

I.   TOPIC          The "Big Buddy" Program

II.  LOCATION  Clinton County, New York

III. SUBJECT        Support Services for At-Risk Youth

IV.  SUMMARY

     Clinton County, New York, has the third highest school drop-out rate in the state. Sixty
     percent of the youths involved in complaints with police are from single parent families
     in the county. When the youth of Clinton County were surveyed, they reported that teen
     pregnancy and juvenile crime were major problems faced by their community. In
     response, the Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO) developed the "Big
     Buddy" program. The program matches youngsters between 6 and 16 years of age,
     primarily from low-income, single parent homes, with an adult volunteer. The volunteers
     are recruited through community organizations such as churches and local service clubs.
     Each volunteer is trained before becoming a Big Buddy. The families of the children are
     integrally involved in the program and participate in all decision making. The Big Buddy
     program provides mentorship, support, and role models for the youth involved. The goal
     of the program is to reduce the number of youth placed in detention facilities, reduce the
     number of teen pregnancies, prevent child abuse, and open a dialogue between age groups
     to develop good communication skills and constructive social skills.
     
V.     SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE

     Developed a Big Buddy program to provide mentorship, support, and role models for at-risk youth.
     
VI.    CONTACT

     Gordon Hazel, Executive Director
     JCEO of Plattsburgh and Clinton County
     (A Community Action Agency)
     54 Margaret Street
     Plattsburgh, New York 12901-1533
     518-561-2947
     FAX: 518-562-2947
     VII.   CASE STUDY

     The Problem: Clinton County, New York, has the third highest school drop-out rate in
     the state. Sixty percent of the youths involved in complaints with police are from single
     parent families. When the youth of Clinton County were surveyed, they reported that teen
     pregnancy and juvenile crime were major problems faced by their community.
     
     The Approach Adopted: The Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO)
     developed the "Big Buddy" program. The program matches youngsters between 6 and 16
     years of age, primarily from low-income, single parent homes, with an adult volunteer.
     The volunteers are recruited through community organizations such as churches and local
     service clubs. Each volunteer is trained before becoming a Big Buddy. The families of the
     children are integrally involved in the program and participate in all decision making.
     
     The Big Buddy program provides mentorship, support, and role models for the youth
     involved. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of youth placed in detention
     facilities, reduce the number of teen pregnancies, prevent child abuse, and open a
     dialogue between age groups to develop good communication skills and constructive
     social skills.
     
     How They Implemented The Approach: JCEO contributed Community Service
     Block Grant (CSBG) funds to support the Big Buddy program. The Plattsburgh AM
     Rotary committed $5,000 annually for three years. The local youth services bureau and
     the local Kiwanis have also committed funds. In addition to a Program Director, the
     project is staffed with assistance from the AmeriCorps program. The funding represents a
     partnership of diverse community, government, and private sources.
     
     Results: A program was developed, using a partnership of diverse community,
     government, and private resources, to reduce the number of youth placed in detention
     facilities, reduce the number of pregnant teens, prevent child abuse, and open a dialogue
     between age groups to develop good communication skills and constructive social skills.
     
VIII.  KEY WORDS

     At-Risk Youth
     Buddy Programs
     Child Abuse
     Community Action Agency
     Families
     Juvenile Crime
     Mentorship
     Role Modeling
     Single Parents
     Teen Pregnancy
     Youth
     

ref:   bigbuddy.doc