Congressional Oversight Hearing On Local Gang Diversion Programs

This congressional hearing report highlights some of the steps people are taking to divert and prevent youth from becoming involved in gang activities. Testimony and prepared statements include those from Joseph Gonzales, Field Organizer of the Youth Volunteer Corps from Kansas City; Kathy Masera, President of the California Job Journal; Ron Holmes, Chief of Police in West Covina, California; Sandra Moss-Manson, Project Director, Gang Alternative and Prevention Program, Los Angles County Probation Department; Nancy J. Lavelle, President of the Institute for the Redesign of Learning, South Pasadena, California; Robert W. Bruesch, Mayor, City of Rosemead, California; Clay Hollopeter, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of San Gabriel Valley, California; Scott Jackson, Program Director, National Youth Program Using Minibikes; Mary L. Manning, Mayor, Temple City, California; and Robby Robinson, Deputy Probation Officer, Specialized Gang Unit, Los Angeles County Probation Department. (GLR)

This congressional hearing report highlights some of the steps people are taking to divert and prevent youth from becoming involved in gang activities. Testimony and prepared statements include those from Joseph Gonzales, Field Organizer of the Youth Volunteer Corps from Kansas City; Kathy Masera, President of the California Job Journal; Ron Holmes, Chief of Police in West Covina, California; Sandra Moss-Manson, Project Director, Gang Alternative and Prevention Program, Los Angles County Probation Department; Nancy J. Lavelle, President of the Institute for the Redesign of Learning, South Pasadena, California; Robert W. Bruesch, Mayor, City of Rosemead, California; Clay Hollopeter, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of San Gabriel Valley, California; Scott Jackson, Program Director, National Youth Program Using Minibikes; Mary L. Manning, Mayor, Temple City, California; and Robby Robinson, Deputy Probation Officer, Specialized Gang Unit, Los Angeles County Probation Department. (GLR)

Research clearly shows that mentoring is a powerful alternative education (dropout prevention) strategy for students at risk, and this text meets a demand from teachers and case workers in the juvenile justice systems for a comprehensive guide to establish mentoring programs. The book is teacher-friendly, easy to read, positive, and full of suggestions. The mentor application, interest inventories, and evaluation forms make it useful as a resource book. Strategies on writing mission statements, goals, and objectives contribute to confidence in developing successful proposals to fund mentoring programs. The recruitment strategies, screening strategies, process and outcome evaluation questions, and the 20-Step Replicable Model help those who wish to enhance the effectiveness of existing mentoring programs. Chapter One discusses the need to restructure classrooms, programs, and schools to better serve students and also delineates important facts about alternative education. Chapter Two introduces two funded alternative education programs: the Truancy Court Conference Program (TCCP) and the Mentoring and Tutoring Help (MATH) program. Chapter Three discusses more important components of the MATH program and presents tips for recruiting, screening, and orienting mentors. Chapter Four deals with what teachers can emphasize to mentors, and the final chapter presents successful tips for teachers to build a mentoring program. This text is designed to meet the needs of K-12 teachers, K-12 school administrators, case managers in the juvenile justice system, and members of nonprofit organizations who work with students at risk.