Early interventions in the prevention of youth crime

 

Children from minority communities have been found to have issues with substance abuse as well as low academic performance. A result of this situation is that they have ended up becoming vulnerable mainly because of the considerable lack of opportunities and role models both at home and at school. It has become essential to make sure that early interventions are made to promote a reduction in the number of individuals from these communities that abuse substances. Furthermore, it has become critical that these interventions are made early in the lives of the children so that they can be able to grow up with the knowledge that substance abuse is wrong while also seeking to achieve greater objectives that will help them have a better standard of life. One of the most significant interventions that have been identified as being critical to the achievement of this objective is group counseling, which ensures that there is the development of significant change in the perception of minority children concerning the world and their place in it. A group counseling environment is also one that seeks to promote greater inclusivity in such a way that minority children do not feel out of place and are instead encouraged to become an essential part of the counseling process through active participation.

Group Objectives

There are a number of important objectives that are supposed to be achieved within the context of the group therapy process. These objectives are aimed at making sure that there is not only a reduction in the number of minority children that abuse substances, but also the promotion of an improvement in their academic performance. Therefore, one of the most important objectives of the group is to ensure that there is the development of an open environment within which the participants are able to talk openly concerning their personal and communal problems in such a way that ensures that there is the enhancement of an understanding of their backgrounds and how they can be helped (Ogrodniczuk & Piper, 2003). Furthermore, it is essential that there is the development of a level of diversity in the group process in a way that helps minority children from diverse backgrounds to interact effectively so that they can find out the common aspects concerning them. A discussion of the various problems that plague them in their daily lives helps in the identification of risk factors and through this process, it becomes possible for the counselor to provide the guidance necessary to alleviate the problems that are discovered.

Group Format

 Before the formation of the group, it is pertinent to make sure that there is the development of a group format. This format is aimed at promoting greater effectiveness within the group so that it can work towards supporting the counseling of the participants. One of the most important considerations that have to be made is the need to promote diversity, and this process should be conducted in a way that promotes the inclusion of children or individuals from different communities and backgrounds (Thomas & Pender, 2008). Furthermore, there is need to determine the size of the group, and in this case, it is essential to make sure that the membership of the group does not exceed twenty individuals. It is also necessary that there is the enhancement of group effectiveness through setting duration for the sessions as well as their frequency. This group will need to have sessions for at least three months, which should be conducted twice a week. Finally, the group will need to be closed because it is critical for the participants to get to know one another well and to become used to each other; a process that is likely to be difficult if new participants come in frequently.

Group Leadership and Counseling Theory

The counseling theory that will be used within the group is the narrative therapy because it is an extremely effective way of reaching the participants. This is because the narrative therapy is one that essentially adopts an approach that does not blame individuals, and is instead quite respective towards them to such an extent that it promotes these individuals as the ones who really know themselves (Hayward, 2003). This is a critical approach, especially for children from minority groups who, if another approach is used, could end up feeling as if they are being judged or misunderstood. Furthermore, it is essential that the narrative therapy approach is used because it promotes a view of problems that is separate from the individuals involved, and this is pertinent to the group counseling process because it makes the participants use their own skills, competencies, and values in order to bring about a reduction of the influence of various problems that they might have over their lives. This approach also requires that there is a single leadership style because it ensures that there is a single figure of authority within the group that all the participants look up to. In this way, it will be possible to make sure that there is the promotion of a situation where there is few leadership or counseling conflicts while at the same time enhancing the trust of participants.

Ethical Group Practices

It is necessary that the group leadership is conducted in as a professional manner as possible through the observation of the regulatory requirements that have been set. Furthermore, it is essential that the interests of the participants of the group are given the most priority because it ensures that there is not only an enhancement of their positive development, but also promotes a situation where they have good attitude towards the counseling process. Moreover, there is need to make sure that the counselor is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the group because it helps them to become a better manager of a diversity of participants (Thomas & Pender, 2008). This achievement cannot be underestimated because it promotes the development of strong initiatives aimed at making sure that the counseling sessions are highly successful. It is critical that the counselor makes an assessment of themselves before undertaking the process in order to find out their capabilities and bring about an understanding of how their beliefs and values can have an impact on the participants of the group (Thomas & Pender, 2008). It is also essential that there is the development of means through which to make an assessment of the group environment in such a way that promotes a multicultural environment for the individuals that participate in the group.

Summary of Diversity Integration

It is necessary to make sure that there is the establishment of diversity within the group because it is the best means of helping in the achievement of its objectives. The integration process should be conducted in such a way that promotes the development of strong relationships between the participants so that they can be able to come to terms with the issues that are common among them. Furthermore, there is need to promote a situation where there is the inclusion of individuals from a diversity of minority communities so that they can be able to consider the diverse challenges that their communities face. A consequence of the implementation of such an initiative is that there will be greater integration within the group because it ensures that there is the achievement of an environment of safety and ease among the participants (Kivlighan Jr & Tarrant, 2001). It is also necessary to make sure that there is the consideration of those aspects that are involved in the creation of an effective group such as the number of participants as well as the cultural and ethical factors that might influence the way that participants will respond to the counseling sessions.

Conclusion

The process of structuring the group and determining the theory that is to be used in the counseling sessions is an essential one in promoting its efficiency. It is therefore essential for the counselor to make sure that there is the development of initiatives aimed at not only enhancing group integration, but also the development of a multicultural character that is necessary for the achievement of diversity. Finally, it is pertinent that the counselor is able to make an assessment of his capabilities as well as the structure of the group in order to develop a more efficient way to help minority children avoid substance abuse, and enhance their academic performance.