White non-Hispanics accounted for 74 percent of the labor force in 1998. Their share of the labor force in 2008 will decrease modestly to 71 percent. By 2008, the Hispanic labor force will be larger than the black labor force. This is the first in a series of feature stories focusing on recipients of the U.S. Department of Labor and the American Association of Community Colleges 2000 Workforce Development Awards. Staggering increases in delinquency complaints and juvenile referrals to Court Services have created an urgent need for a positive preventative maintenance and school-to work transition program for juvenile offenders.
Today s at-risk youth offenders do transition to tomorrow s adult offender.
Second Chance, a workforce development project in Waterloo, Iowa between Juvenile Court Services, Hawkeye Community College, and Area VII Job Training, offers a competency-based behavior change model for juvenile offenders. It is designed to channel their lives into positive and productive directions. Second Chance promotes positive behavior through a professional group facilitation process which empowers youth to improve decision-making, behavior adjustment, communication, and problem solving skills. Emphasis is placed on completion of education programs. Youth participate in career exploration activities, and employment opportunities are provided.