The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-01-20

maintained as q routine In order
to provide an accurate picture of
the kinds of cases coming to the
courts attention. According 70
Judge Eva Warner Gibson, in 1850
there were $50 cases; 1851, 434;
|1Ss2, 454; 1853, sos.
However, it 10 not known how
many Of these were classed as
delinquent and how many were
dependent or neglected. In the
Judges opinion, however, that q.
bout IS per cent were delinquency
cases.
It is understood that petitions
are filed in practically all cases:
however, the growing trend
throughout the country is for the
court to handle many, cases infor-
|mally without the necessity Of FL
ing a petition.
In fact, in most well organized
courts today more cases are handl.
led informally than formally. How
ever, except for the court hearing,
these informal cases receive the
same intensive study and follow-up
SUPERVISION as do the formal cases.
Evidence that more cases might
be handled informally is the fact
that most of the petitions, after
being filed, are dismissed and the
children and parents are only
warned.
AT the present time, there are
Ionly twelve children reported to
be on probation.
Considering the large number of
cases coming to the attention of
the court, 1t would seem that more
children should be placed on pro-
baton, even if informally, for con-
tinued follow-up supervisor by the
counselor.
However, the continual need II
investigate emergency situations
and make some sort Of disposition
limits the time available the coun.
lselor would have for providing in.
ltensive follow-up supervision.
| Although many Of the cases re.
ported are not serious, children
with problems and children from
inadequate homes are usually un.
able to "go it alone" and need the
helpful guidance of skilled pro.
baton counselor. Even II most oil
the neglect situations were referred
to the welfare department, when
that agency is able to assume
greater responsibility when a child
welfare worker is available. the
estimated number of delinquency
lreferrals indicates need for more
than one probation counselor.
| II is understood the probation
counselor has had previous proba.
tion experience during the admin.
istration Of q former Judge of thi.
court, but that she does not have
specific training in social work.
However, considering that most
of the delinquent youngsters are
boys, it would seem important that
q qualified male probation counse.
Ilor be added to the staff.
&
Rels 81 PREDICTION Counselor
Probation counselling provides
court with a social study of the
child and q program Of supervi
sion and guidence to help the child
and his family. The social inves.
Itigation or social diagnosis involves
the collection and analysis of facts
ito reveal the basic problem upon
which the treatment plan is based
It attempts to describe as exact
Ily as possible the situation and per.
isonality Of the individual and hi.
social needs. II includes (aD an un
derstanding of his personality, hi.
attitudes and beliefs, his capabili
tiles and limitations: (bD the collec
Ition Of facts which give insight into
his anti-s0cial conduct, revealing
ibis past history. his needs and hi.
personal, social and economic stu,
ation; (c) the use of various test
and examinations which give infor
nation about his physical a~d re-,
al cordit.on: td) putting toSe..i :,