INTRODUCTION

The Department of Justice and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) identified Oregon as one of the states to become involved with the Comprehensive Strategy training and technical assistance, focusing on development and implementation of the Comprehensive Strategy. Through the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJAC), OJJDP is providing trainers from Developmental Research and Programs and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency to help implement the Comprehensive Strategy in selected communities.

Baker County is one of six counties in Oregon to receive a training and technical assistance grant through the OJJDP to implement the Comprehensive Strategy. The Baker County Commission on Children and Families provides day to day program management, while the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) acts as an advisory board. Baker County Prevention Coalition will provide advocacy and support for specific projects within the strategy. The Comprehensive Strategy process began with a year of on-site consultations with Jay Wood of Community Research Associates. The Community Planning Team was then formed, which included among the diverse membership business leaders, parents, youth, law enforcement, and health professionals.

There are five principles upon which the Comprehensive Strategy is based:

  • Supporting and strengthening the family, or establishing a family surrogate to guide the children.
  • Supporting the social institutions that help to develop capable, mature, responsible youth.
  • Recognizing that prevention is the most cost-effective approach to combat youth crime.
  • Intervening immediately and effectively when delinquent behavior begins.
  • Identifying and controlling the small group of serious violent offenders through a range of graduated sanctions.

The key to effectively reducing problem behaviors in juveniles rests in the establishment of collaborative community planning committees that focus on prevention and habilitation. The most pressing problems and program priorities must be identified. Consensus is necessary for developing support and participation by all members of the identified community. Leaders must determine where efforts and dollars need to be focused to achieve the greatest outcomes. Development of a multifaceted, coordinated approach, which focuses on prevention, is vital to the community. It was with this knowledge in mind that the Community Planning Team of Baker County pursued the building of the Comprehensive Strategy to reduce and prevent juvenile crime and to improve the juvenile justice system.

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History