www.nc4yc.org national center for youth in custody creating the foundation: elements and principles...

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National Center for Youth in Custody

Creating the Foundation: Elements and Principles of an

Effective Continuum of Services

Alternatives to Detention MeetingWednesday, May 29, 2013

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We have them but for a season . . .

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Why a Continuum of Care?Why a Continuum of Care?

Juvenile Justice SystemsJuvenile Justice SystemsFinding an Appropriate BalanceFinding an Appropriate Balance

Prevention Prevention Public Safety Public Safety

InterventionIntervention

Least Restrictive Continuum of Care

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Changing Systems for Youth and Families

Changing systems often involves starting from a fundamentally different place …

Philosophy/Culture x Focus + Proven Practices = Quality and Results

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“Key Findings“Improving Effectiveness of Juvenile Justice

Programs: A New Perspective on Evidenced Based Practice”, Lipsey, Howell, Kelly, Chapman, & Carver, 2010

• Focus most effective and costly interventions on higher risk youth. Less intensive and less costly interventions on low risk youth.

• Programs with a therapeutic philosophy were notably more effective than those with a control philosophy.

• A sufficient amount of program service is important.• Quality implementation magnifies the impact.

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Contrasting ApproachesTraditional

Correctional & InstitutionalDevelopmental

Rehabilitative & TherapeuticGoal is for youth to stay out of trouble

Goal is for youth & families to be productively involved and contributing to community

Deficits focus/Offense Driven Assets focus/Strength and NeedsOne-size fits all; youth fits into program; restrictive

Individual/family needs; program fits the youth; flexible, adaptive, culturally competent

Limited program options, overuse of hardware secure residential

Least restrictive continuum of non-residential and residential placement options

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Contrasting Approaches

TraditionalCorrectional & Institutional

DevelopmentalRehabilitative & Therapeutic

Case manager; probation, parole, staff positioned as enforcers and monitors

Service Coordinator (community organizer, resource developer, connections and support)

Large institutions, geographically isolated, inaccessible family/community

Small programs, geographically located, accessible to youth, family/community

Policy drives decision, rigid protocols

Engaged problem solver, decision maker

“Bad” neighborhoods Community/neighborhoods as a resource

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TraditionalCorrectional & Institutional

DevelopmentalRehabilitative & Therapeutic

Create barriers, limit peer contagion

Build positive relationships, reduce isolation

Focus on locating a placement Focus on achieving stability

Youth/individual Systemic (youth, family, neighborhood, community)

Crisis intervention, activity focused

Proactive planning, outcome focused

Contrasting Approaches

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Contrasting Approaches

TraditionalCorrectional & Institutional

DevelopmentalRehabilitative & Therapeutic

Surveillance, check-ins, monitoring

Day Treatment; Community/Family Resource Centers

Remedial education and vocational options

Focus on education completion, supports, opportunities, mastery

Surveillance/Monitoring Programs

“Humanware” engaged supervision and mentoring

Families as placements, part of problem, something to be “fixed”

Proved family therapy practices, family partnerships, and natural support networks

9- 5 programs and services 24/7 program, services, and supports

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A Broader Vision

Moving from Programs to Systems

• Least restrictive continuum of residential and non-residential interventions that are humane, therapeutic, and developmental.

• Fully Integrated Treatment Approach and Comprehensive Wraparound services across agencies and systems

• Youth and family-driven services (e.g. group approach, youth centered transition planning)

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A Broader Vision

Moving from Programs to Systems

• Mobilization of natural helping networks and social capital (e.g. agency services comprise no more than 50% of plan)

• Comprehensive engagement and layers of support for youth and families (e.g. resource centers, multi-family groups, opportunities to volunteer and reciprocate, health/wellness, emergency assistance)

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A Broader Vision

Moving from Programs to Systems

• Integration with Family Courts and Juvenile Court Diversion Programs

• Youth development opportunities (e.g. youth boards/leadership, afterschool activities, productive involvement)

• Post-secondary, vocational, and career services for youth and families

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Integrated Youth and Family Resource System - Example

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What we do can make the difference for a lifetime . . .

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Carol Cramer Brooks, Co-CoordinatorNational Center for Youth in CustodyNational Partnership for Juvenile ServicesAt the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home1424 Gull RoadKalamazoo, MI 49007269.383.8644 (0ffice)269.377.1605 (cell)carol.brooks1959@att.net

You can contact me at . . .