A new data analysis by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice shows that high risk young people—even those at the deeper end of the juvenile justice system--can live in their communities and remain arrest free when they get the right kind of help at home.

The April 2014 edition of YAPFacts, a series of John Jay issue briefs, gives results of the review of 3, 523 juvenile justice youth (males and females, ages 11 to 18) who received in-home and neighborhood-based services from Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP).

The vast majority—93%--of the youth remained in the community at the time of the discharge from YAP. During their YAP participation, 86% remained free of arrest.

Instead of costly placement behind bars, these young people and their families received YAP services in their home communities. YAP provides advocacy services driven by strengths and empowerment- based wraparound best practices. A paid, trained and closely supervised advocate recruited from the local community works with the young person and family to achieve individual goals.

YAP Advocates provide intensive supervision while helping youth and families prepare for successful futures. John Jay researchers note that “YAP involvement keeps clients engaged in social activities and influences in their communities... YAP increases the likelihood that these clients will remain positively engaged after YAP services terminate.”

Read the full issue brief.