Work highlights

Examples of Models for Change-supported activities underway in Louisiana

Expansion of treatment alternatives to incarceration
All Models for Change parishes have developed local Functional Family Therapy teams that can provide proven treatment alternatives to the incarceration of parish youth.
Assessing diversion policies and practice
National Resource Bank members have been working with Children and Youth Planning Boards and local leadership in selected parishes to assess diversion policies, practices, statutes and funding, review existing local programming, identify needs, and plan for expansions. Key decision points in local systems have been mapped, and the ways in which data are used in decision-making have been assessed and documented.
Adopting a risk and needs assessment tool
Jurisdictions participating in Models for Change are adopting a common pre-disposition risk and needs assessment tool, the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY), to guide and inform decision making.

Large-scale training and public education
To help build a culture supportive of evidence-based practices in Louisiana generally, Models for Change has sponsored several large-scale training and public education events, including an “Evidence-Based Practice Summit for Louisiana Leadership."
Identifying best practices in early intervention
Data collection has begun for an evaluation of a locally developed early intervention program for middle school students—which, if the results warrant, will be thoroughly documented and packaged for replication elsewhere in the state.
Partnerships with universities
Training and educational events supportive of evidence-based practice have been organized by the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health.
Developing a “data group” that guides reform planning
An innovative “data group” led by the University of New Orleans ensures that the work is structured and documented in such a way that results can be tracked and assessed. This information can be used by policymakers to lay the groundwork for permanent improvements in the data systems that support juvenile justice decision making in Louisiana.

Standardizing collection and use of data
Models for Change partners are helping Louisiana analyze what information exists on minority processing, as well as the mechanisms for gathering it; calling attention to deficiencies, inconsistencies, and gaps in available data; and working with state and local partners to improve the way data are collected and analyzed, so as to better identify and target appropriate interventions.

Developing best-practice training for juvenile defenders
Building on the momentum created by an assessment of statewide indigent defense systems, Models for Change is working with the state and parish defender boards to provide training and technical support to juvenile defense attorneys.

Creating opportunities for information sharing
A number of conferences and workshops have been held to share knowledge regarding evidence-based treatment services, screening and assessment, disproportionate minority contact, and status offender issues with Louisiana’s juvenile justice stakeholders and policymakers.

Teams from Louisiana participate in the following Models for Change action networks:

As part of the Models for Change Research Initiative, Louisiana sites are involved in the following studies: