Issues for Change

Evidence-Based Practices

In a model juvenile justice system that is responsive to the needs of young offenders, juvenile courts and probation departments would have access to a continuum of programs, services, and supports, located as close to the community as possible, that are of demonstrated effectiveness in improving behavior and emotional functioning. Wherever possible, a model system would invest its funds wisely in services and supports that actually work or demonstrate a likelihood of success. Not only would it rely heavily on the use of evidence-based and research-based practices and measure the success of its interventions on a routine basis, it would actively encourage the development and evaluation of new practices, to effectively meet the needs of youth in the juvenile justice system.

Models for Change work in Louisiana is aimed at increasing the availability of scientifically supported community-level interventions and the use of sound screening and assessment practices that serve to divert youth into those interventions. Efforts in this area will include:

• Working with the planning boards of Jefferson and Rapides Parishes to conduct a review of current screening and assessment practices, explore gaps and opportunities, and develop a work plan to create a consistent screening and assessment process using appropriate tools at appropriate processing stages, with an emphasis on earlier points of juvenile justice contact.
• Reviewing currently available services in these parishes, identifying barriers to the development and expansion of evidence-based practices, and assisting in the development of a plan for establishing or strengthening evidence-based practices.
• Engaging the state’s Office of Youth Development (OYD) and other stakeholders in the development of a Model for Standardized Predisposition Assessment and providing technical assistance in connection with the implementation of such an early assessment approach in Caddo Parish.
• Conducting statewide meetings, workshops, and other educational activities to raise awareness of the benefits of using a standardized and valid screening and assessment process.
• Collecting information on the types of services currently used by juvenile drug courts statewide, raising awareness about the importance of utilizing evidence-based interventions through technical assistance, and working with the Louisiana Supreme Court to develop and implement guidelines and incentives to encourage the use of evidence-based practices by juvenile drug courts.
• Assisting in the expansion of the Early Intervention Program in the 16th Judicial District, a promising practice that provides services to elementary school-aged youth with school-related problems and appears to reduce status offender referrals.
• Working with OYD, in collaboration with youth planning boards, to develop funding and administrative mechanisms, including a revised RFP process, that encourage the development and maintenance of evidence-based practices.
• Helping the state to plan a Center for Excellence that would promote the implementation and spread of evidence-based practices in communities throughout the state and serve as a liaison to the evidence-based practice developers to ensure that implementation and replication efforts are structured and adhere to recommended protocols.

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