We measure success by lives changed.

By law, Dallas County is not allowed to contact former Youth Village or Medlock residents once they have been released from the facility or their probation. Therefore, unless they become repeat offenders, there is little long-term follow-up information available.

Youth Village Resources is now making it possible to stay in touch with young men who participate in our programs during their residency and after release. One of our objectives in maintaining contact is to allow us to measure and improve the effectiveness of our programs. YVR has joined forces with Dr. Simon Fass to study and document Outcome Measurements for our Programs. We are measuring three key areas: education, employment and recidivism. Dr. Fass is Associate Professor of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses that include statistical methods, evaluation of research techniques, cost-benefit analysis, sports economics, and the economics of religion. His research in various policy domains has been published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Journal of the American Planning Association, International Migration Review, Development and Change, Studies in Comparative International Development, and World Development. His current research focuses on effectiveness of juvenile justice interventions.

Please continue to visit this area of our website for ongoing updates of all of our programs. Though our data collection is in its infancy, we are proud of our progress in this area and have expectations of greatly increased efficacy in our programs based on the findings..

Click here to read the full January 2008 to June 2010 Outcomes Study

One of the biggest ways to change the lives of these young men is by teaching them social skills. The first 30 to 45 days of their residence is focused on the learning of social skills. They are continually monitored as they progress through the levels of their Youth Village Program.

One of the comments that always comes our way about our young men when they interact with the public is that "I can't believe that these kids got in trouble, they are so polite, friendly, willing to work and they always make eye contact!"

Click here to see our Social Skills Training information »