Carson

A reserve fund of $50,000 has been set aside by the Carson City Council for the expansion of its child guidance program, a school-based counseling program that seeks to detect and control pre-delinquent behavior in children.

The reserve fund, created during city budget hearings this week, was approved as a first step in an attempt to double the resources of the program, a model program in Los Angeles County that city officials say curbs youth problems before they lead to gang activity and other delinquent behavior.

If the Carson Coordinating Council, a citizens group that sponsors the guidance program, can obtain matching money from Carson industries or substantial volunteer assistance from graduate students at California State University, Dominguez Hills, city officials said they will release the money. If matching money is obtained, officials say the program could serve eight Carson schools instead of the current four.