The Club Deportivo Dan Soccer Program: An Evaluation of Process and Outcome

• In Event: Research on the Effectiveness of Delinquency Prevention Programs

Abstract

An evaluation of the Voices4Perú (V4P) soccer program was recently conducted to determine whether the program had a measureable effect for improving the attitude and behavior of children and adolescents related to involvement in gangs, violence, and drug use. The evaluation assessed how staff from Club Deportivo Dan (CDD) adhered to the mission of the organization and fidelity of program delivery methods when interacting with soccer players. The findings gathered through this project will 1) add to the current body of research about the effectiveness of after school and community-based programs that are designed to curb anti-social and delinquent behaviors among youth, and 2) have practical applications for the V4P organization to improve the effectiveness of CDD, including developing new policies and strategies to reduce youths’ high risk behaviors. This presentation will show findings about the effectiveness of CDD as reported on a self-administered questionnaire and during an in-depth interview with adolescents who were actively participating in the program or were former players. Overall, findings examine five major themes including: reasons for joining the club; understanding the club’s purpose; benefits derived from participation; diversion from anti-social behavior; and observed improvements in attitude and behavior.

Authors

• Sami Abdel-Salam, West Chester University

• Michael E. Antonio, West Chester University