systems change for status offenders in connecticut presented by: kimberly sokoloff selvaggi april 12...
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Systems Change for Status Offenders in Connecticut
Presented by: Kimberly Sokoloff Selvaggi
April 12 & 13, 2011
Presentation Overview
Connecticut juvenile population Impetus for Change: legislative background
and target population Family Support Center model Implementation process: considerations and
challenges Measuring and monitoring outcomes Lessons learned
Connecticut Juvenile Court in FY 2006-2007
15,857 distinct juveniles referred to court– 10,910 Delinquency– 1,212 Youth in Crisis (status offenders age 16 &
17)– 3,735 FWSN referrals (status offenders under 16)
Legislative Changes
PA 05-250: Children of Families with Service Needs; effective October 1, 2007– Prohibits holding a child whose family has
been adjudicated as a FWSN in juvenile detention, and
– Prohibits adjudicating FWSNs delinquent solely for violating a court's FWSN order
PA 06-188: Establishes Families With Service Needs Advisory Board
New Court Referral Process
New Parent Complaint Notification Form Changed the School Truancy/Defiance of
School Rules Complaint Form Considerable changes in requirements for
Judicial handling High-need FWSNs diverted directly to
services (to FSCs in 4 areas)
Role of Juvenile Probation
Supervisors Screen FWSN Referrals; focus is on court diversion – Refer directly to FSC (high needs indicated) OR – Assign a probation officer to assess needs and refer
to services All Cases Handled Non-judicially
– Exceptions: Continued and escalating problem behavior in conjunction with community based services being exhausted
Family Support Center: Funding
Judicial Branch requested state funds for 10 centers to serve 12 juvenile courts
Target Highest-Need FWSNs – Estimated 25% of all referred
FY 07/08 state budget funded four (4) of ten, remainder of funding requested for FY 08/09 and again for FY 09/10
Funding included process and outcome evaluation
System Impact of Changes
Statewide FWSN Referrals Down Calendar Year 2006
– 3,638 FWSN Referrals
Calendar Year 2007– 3,263 FWSN Referrals
Calendar Year 2008– 2,187 FWSN Referrals
10% reduction from 2006
40% reduction from 2006
Decrease in Judicial Handling
10/1/06 to 4/30/07– 1,222 non-judicial FWSN– 1,309 judicial FWSN
10/1/07 to 4/30/08– 1,397 non-judicial FWSN– 89 judicial FWSN
10/1/08 to 4/30/09– 1,341 non-judicial FWSN– 47 judicial FWSN
0 FWSNs or FWSN Violators in Detention
Decreased Violations and Commitments 10/1/06 to 4/30/07
– 30 FWSN Commitments of 181 total commitments (17%)
– 263 violations for FWSN & Delinquent
10/1/07 to 4/30/08– 6 FWSN Commitments of 134 total commitments (4%)
– 166 violations for FWSN & Delinquent
10/01/08 to 4/30/09– 8 FWSN Commitments of 151 total commitments (5%)
Family Support Center Model
Goals
To divert FWSNs from further court involvement:– Offer a “one-stop,” multi-service model of
care for children and their families– Provide an array of services on-site – Prioritize collaboration with systems, service
providers and families
Model Underpinnings
Principles of effective practice Strengths-based Gender responsive Trauma sensitive Family focused Individualized
Services Offered
Crisis Intervention Family Mediation Case Management/Coordination Educational Consultation/Advocacy Aftercare Services Referrals to home-based programs Flex Funds for Pro-social Activities
Group Offerings
Trauma Services/ Intervention Cognitive Behavioral Interventions Female-specific services Parent/ Family Skill building
Key Elements Focus on initial engagement
– Contact families within 3 hours of receiving the referral – Must continue attempts until all options are exhausted
Provide comprehensive screening, assessment and case plan (called collaborative plan)
Services needed are services offered; match the child/family to the services indicated through assessment
Collaboration with systems and service providers
Who are the Kids?
Cases are VERY Complex– Multiple system involvement: Many services have already
been tried Prior out of home placements Home-based services Outpatient substance abuse and mental health services
– Significant mental health needs
– Have witnessed or been victims of abuse/violence
– Parents have untreated and significant needs
– Educational challenges
– Stressed families
Referral Process
Probation Supervisors receive and review referrals from complainant
If risk/need indicators are moderate/high, referral is sent immediately to FSC and FSC must contact the family within 3 hours
If risk/need indicators are mild/moderate, case is assigned to a probation officer for standard processing– If after meeting the child and/or family, probation officer uncovers
more risk/needs indicators, referral to FSC can still be made DCF liaison can/is also be consulted; 3 of 4 courts instituted
a triage meeting with DCF
Screening and Assessments
Comprehensive screening process – Juvenile Assessment Generic (JAG)– Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)– Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2
(MAYSI-2) If indicated, assessment is conducted
– Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths with Mental Health Challenges (CANS-MH)
– Traumatic Events Screening Inventory (TESI)
Staffing & Training
Staff interview process reflects key underpinnings of the program model
Each staff must have an individual development plan Staff are accountable to set standards regarding model
adherence Training (plus coaching) begins with
– Motivational interviewing– Strengths-based practice– Trauma sensitivity– Cultural competence– Gender responsivity
Training on practices and interventions – Process must include quality assurance and feedback to encourage
improvement
Measuring Outcomes
Utilize Contractor Data Collection System to collect data
Justice Research Center conducted process and outcome evaluation
Quality assurance by outside vendor CSSD staff ensures contract compliance
and model fidelity
Risk Reduction Indicators for FSC
Program Completion Number of Referred Clients with an Intake Arrest rate 12 months post FSC
Completion FWSN Re-referral Rate 12 months post
completion
Percentage of Clients Re-referred as a FWSN
% of Clients Arrested 12 Months Post FSC
Discharge
2010
70% did not
recidivate
30% recidivated
% of Clients Arrested 12 Months Post FSC
Discharge
2009
62% did not
recidivate
38% recidivated
Family Support Center:Other Outcome Measures Client Level
– Educational improvements– Family functioning improvements– Overall client functioning improvements
Program Level – Treatment matching– Model fidelity
System Level– Recidivism by risk level, gender, age, ethnicity
FSC Budget Information
Each FSC is independently contracted for services via the RFP process– Contracts are for 3 to 5 years
Average cost per slot is $10,000– Slots turn over every 5 to 6 months– Average cost per family is $5000
4 FSC’s opened 10/07; 3 opened in 12/10; 5 program expansions in 12/10
Lessons Learned
Implementation requires an active partnership between model developer and the agency implementing the model
Process evaluation helps streamline program processes and activities; QA ensures quality is maintained
Collaboration with referral source is paramount Must have established ties with other systems/ service
providers Collect data that will help determine if outcome
objectives are being met Detail processes and inform partners Offer live technical assistance
Connecticut Contact Information
Kimberly Sokoloff Selvaggi
State of Connecticut, Judicial Branch
Court Support Services Division
936 Silas Deane Highway
Wethersfield, CT 06109
860-721-2171