Assessment | mysite-1

Assessing the Landscape

Creating new community-based programs can be a significant undertaking for any jurisdiction. Before developing new programs or practices, certain steps must be taken to ensure that resources are wisely invested in the right services for your community.

Step 1: Convene a Planning Team

Strong leadership is the catalyst for driving an initiative forward. Supervisors who fully embrace the change process are sending a message that the work is important and that long-term success is attainable.

Who is on your planning team?
What is the role of each member?
What resources are dedicated to the project?

Step 2: Understand Your Population

Understanding the youth population within your jurisdiction can help inform which programs might be a good fit.

How many youths are arrested and processed in the courts annually?
What are the ages, demographics, and offense types of court-involved youth?
What are the behavioral health needs of court-involved youth?
Are there barriers to accessing or analyzing data?

Step 3: Be Careful Not to Widen the Net!

Make sure that new programs do not unintentionally expand the number of youth entering the court system. Often referred to as “net widening,” some jurisdictions have actually seen caseloads increase when new programs become available because it creates options for low-risk youth who would otherwise be dismissed from court. The net widening effect also seems to have a disproportionate impact on youth of color and low-income children.

Are policies in place to redirect non-offending, low-risk youth from the justice system and refer them to an appropriate service?

Step 4: Explore Your Service Array

In Michigan, local courts oversee the full spectrum of juvenile justice services available in their jurisdiction. The range of services, which differs from county to county, may include diversion, detention, community-based programs, graduated sanctions, out-of-home placements, and re-entry services.

What are all of the juvenile justice programs within your jurisdiction’s continuum of care? Who manages each program? How are program assignments decided?
Are these juvenile justice services evaluated for outcomes? How is information collected? Is outcome data routinely provided to jurists, prosecutors or attorneys to better inform disposition decisions?
What types of programs are missing from your jurisdiction? Is there a youth service or program for each possible juvenile justice contact point, from prevention to reentry?
How are families involved in the existing services?

Step 5: Identify Resources and Partnerships