Partnership Resource Network
Project Name: Preventing Girls’ Delinquency: A Longitudinal Evaluation of the Young Women Leaders Program
Applicant: Youth-NEX, Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia
Applicant Type: University
Application Number: 2012-50559-VA-JU
Funding Request: $499,999
Focus: Juveniles, Delinquency Prevention
Location: VA
Areas Covered: State of VA
Summary: Although delinquency among adolescent girls is rising, little research exists on the long-term effects of prevention programs meant for them. This project will conduct a long-term evaluation of a gender-specific program, the Young Women Leaders Program (YWLP), a one-on-one and group-based mentoring program, in preventing delinquency and related outcomes in girls at-risk for delinquency. A secondary goal is to assess the role of mentoring processes and relationship quality in explaining girls’ long-term outcomes. Using a random-assignment experimental design, 95-123 seventh grade girls in Virginia, nominated because of individual or demographic characteristics related to delinquency risk, were assigned from 2007-2010 to YWLP or a control group condition, and pre and two post-assessments (end of 7th and 8th grade) collected. This project will collect additional surveys from these girls and their teachers to assess changes five years later, and statistically compare intervention and control groups for evidence of program effects. Previous and new interviews of a subsample of girls and their mentors will be culled to identify "best practice" mentoring processes, and their moderating effect on outcomes tested. Project reports will provide some of the first documentation of the long-term effectiveness of gender-specific programming in reducing problem behaviors related to girls’ delinquency.
For Further Information:
Edith Lawrence
Professor
PO Box 400270
Charlottesville, VA 22904
ecl2t@virginia.edu
(434) 924-0789
Application Submitted in Response to Solicitation: Mentoring Best Practices Research
Grants.gov Assigned Number: OJJDP-2012-3204