Alternative Opportunity Program: Stemming Potential Delinquency in Young Adolescents

The Alternative Opportunity Program is preventive in nature, and designed for junior high school students "at risk" for dropping out or becoming delinquent offenders. Students are carefully screened and participate voluntarily. Part of each day is spent in the regular school and part on the campus of Camp Oakland—a privately-funded treatment facility. The program consists of three major components: Education, Student Support Services and Guidance/Management Instruction for teachers and parents. Evaluation data show that student grades and attendance have improved during participation in the program. Some of the crucial components of the program appear to be the cooperation of the regular school personnel, the voluntary nature of placement, the inclusion of parents in counseling and support services, and the maintenance of a positive image for the program at the regular junior high school.