children before they get older and it is too late to change bad attitudes.
3. How do you measure the program’s effectiveness?
There are two key indicators of program effectiveness: 1) the level of participation by children in the programs initiated by the officers, and 2) attitude shifts among the participants. The first measure is sufficiently quantitative to be objectively measured and the second measure is more qualitative. The level of participation on a voluntary basis has been impressive, with twenty school children participating in the chess club. Attitude shifts can only be approximated by the comments of participants themselves and observation of behavior changes. This program has brought troubled children from the brink of a life of behavior problems back to serious dedication to positive goals. Further, withdrawn and shy children have been drawn ‘out of their shells’ by the drama club by allowing them to perform and build confidence in themselves.
4. How is the program financed?
Initially the PACE Program was funded with a federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. When the grant expired, the City of Atlanta picked up the cost of the PACE Program and it continues through the present, funded by the City of Atlanta General Fund.
5. How is the community involved in the program, if at all? How has the community responded to the program?
The faculty and staff at Ragsdale Elementary School, which was adopted by the PACE officers have been instrumental in the program since its inception. School personnel have been very enthusiastic about how this program has helped many children to develop self-esteem and overcome behavior problems. Parents have also been swept up in the wave of enthusiasm, as the staging of the drama club’s first performance was a major event at the school and parents interacted positively with police, gushing proudly about what their youngsters had been inspired to do by the officers.
6. Contact Person:
The United States Conference of Mayors
J. Thomas Cochran, Executive Director
Copyright © 1999, US Conference of Mayors, All rights reserved.