Aftercare for a cognitive-behavioral program for juvenile offenders: A pilot investigation.

Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral and behavioral interventions have shown the most promise for reducing recidivism, and aftercare has been suggested as a promising approach to enhance these effects. This paper describes a pilot study of a cognitive-behavioral residential and aftercare intervention, using both process and outcome data. Thirty-three adolescents referred by juvenile courts for residential placement who had a goal of family reunification participated. Results indicate that youth had significantly decreased behavior problems and families had significantly improved parenting skills. Follow-up data also suggested that at six months post-discharge, youth who departed at home or in a homelike setting had a high rate of remaining arrest free, were still in a homelike setting, were attending school, and had remained drug and alcohol free. Finally, the data suggested that program implementation quality and outcomes improved over the course of the study. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

12-month follow-up outcomes for youth departing an integrated residential continuum of care

“…Enhanced support for these youth after discharge is a promising post departure intervention to help maintain treatment gains and should also be considered for all levels of residential placement (Chmelka, Trout, Mason, & Wright, 2011; Thompson, Ringle, Huefner, Peterson, & Way, 2010; Trout et al, 2010). …”