More Effective.Less Costly

It is a well-documented fact that it is more effective and less costly to prevent youths from traveling down the path to delinquency than to attempt remediation after the fact. Once a youth has committed a crime, it is, for the same reasons, important to intervene early to reduce or eliminate subsequent criminal activity.

Leaders in the field of prevention understand that it is important to move beyond the notion that prevention is merely "stopping something from happening," to the more positive approach that creates conditions which promote the well-being of people. This is the strength-based approach that is inclusive of the Risk and Protective Factor research of Hawkins and Catalano (University of WA), and the Resiliency research of Bonnie Benard (NW Regional Educational Laboratory, Portland, OR). It lies in the certainty that communities, depending upon where they put their efforts and resources, can create an environment conducive to positive outcomes for people, and that individuals ultimately have the power to reach their full potential within that environment.

Much is known about the causes of delinquency and how to prevent it. While there is no standardized approach that works for all cases, under all circumstances, the keys appear to lie in reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors in the lives of young people. Studies and surveys are confirming what teachers and child services professionals have been telling us for years - the strongest single predictor of unwanted, unhealthy and antisocial behaviors in older adolescents is the early onset of problem behaviors.

We know what hurts and what helps children to grow and develop to their fullest potentials. To invest in prevention is to invest in the future of our youth and our communities. But it is critical to invest wisely. Any community should attempt to place their resources in programs and practices that are the most likely to produce positive outcomes for their children and families. Thus, relying upon available research about programs and program characteristics associated with delinquency and recidivism reduction would be prudent.

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