Abstract
Purpose
Prior research documented the efficacy of family-centered interventions at reducing juvenile delinquency. Parenting with Love and Limits® (PLL), a community-based and family-focused approach to treating juvenile offenders was piloted in Florida as part of the Florida Redirection Project enacted by the state legislature to divert youth from residential facilities to community-based services.
Methods
Using propensity score matching, all youth who completed the PLL program in Florida during the three-year period from fiscal years 2007–08 through 2009–10 (n = 92), were matched to similar risk youth who completed residential services during the same time period (n = 92) and compared to examine 12-month, post-intervention recidivism outcomes.
Results
Results revealed that youth completing PLL had, on average, lower rates of recidivism. The community-based intervention achieved lower rates of reconviction, felony conviction, and subsequent justice system placement (juvenile and adult) one year following the completion of services.
Findings
These findings suggest that community-based programs that integrate family-focused individual and group therapy may be an effective alternative to more restrictive, institutional placements for delinquent youth.