The probationer upon acceptance into R.C.P. is placed in subsidized employment for a six month period, during which, a check, amounting to 10% of the probationer's gross wages, is forwarded directly to the N.Y.C. Department of Probation's Central Restitution Unit for processing and forwarding to the victim. Probationers placed in either clerical, maintenance or construction work. After the probationer has worked for four months, in subsidized employment, he begins meeting with a job developer, who assists the probationer in his search for unsubsidized employment (while he works the last two months of the subsidized employment phase of the program).

## The Data Collection Form, The Computerized Database and The Resource Directory

In order to gather the necessary identifying information, the probation case data and the specific Nova Ancora information (both pre-referral and follow-up) a comprehensive Data Collection Form was devised. This form is completed by the Nova Ancora representative while speaking to and querying the referring probation officer. The probation officer has the probationer's case folder in front of him when he calls Nova

Ancora. Most often, the probationer is in the probation officer's office when the probation officer telephones Nova Ancora. The Data Collection Form includes sections for follow-up information and fields of entry for additional resources to which the probationer may be referred.

A Computerized Database was developed shortly after the Data Collection Form was created in order to mirror the Data Collection Form. A data entry operator enters the information, on each probationer, which has been collected on the Data Collection Form, into the database and then returns the form to the Nova Ancora representative who originally took the referral. The Nova Ancora representative files the Data Collection Form in folders, (alphabetically) and by the resource to which the probationer has been referred, When follow-up information is obtained or additional referrals are made, by a Nova Ancora representative, the Data Collection Forms are retrieved, updated and the new information is added to the database.

A Nova Ancora Resource Directory was also developed so that Nova Ancora representatives could have easy access to the resources that have been developed. The resources have been categorized by: 1) Employers 2) Not-For-Profit Corporations 3) Labor Unions 4) Vocational Training and Continuing Education Programs 5) Other City and State Agencies.

## The Statistics Regarding The Number of Probationers Serviced by Nova Ancora

The compilation of accurate statistics was made immeasurably easier by the development of the computerized database in November 1995. In fiscal 1996 (7/01/95 - 6/30/96) Nova Ancora serviced 524 probationers and exceeded expected projections. In fiscal 1997 (7/01/96 - 6/30/97) Nova Ancora, hoping to better the previous years mark, succeeded, by actually servicing 1,000 probationers. In fiscal 1998 (7/01/97 - 6/30/98) the program hopes to exceed that mark with a goal of 1,100 probationers. As of 4/14/98, it has already serviced 867 probationers. For the third straight year, with no increase in budget or staff (we have only four) the program is once again on course towards surpassing its stated goal.