Evidenced Based Practices Evidenced Based Practices In ProbationIn Probation

Challenges and Challenges and ConsiderationsConsiderations

Scott MacDonaldScott MacDonald

Chief Probation OfficerChief Probation Officer

Santa Cruz CountySanta Cruz County

Why EBP?

Current system is not working Programs and practices are driven by fear and

anecdote Lack of effective programs results in unnecessary

incarceration Unnecessary incarceration can increase crime We are currently spending a lot of money and time

without results EBP holds us accountable to results and better

serves youth, family, victims and the public

Probation Malpractice?

Banked caseloads for high risk cases Intensive supervision of low risk cases Outward bound programs Scared straight Intensive supervision without treatment. DARE programs

Implementing Evidenced-based Practice in Probation Leadership Vision / Mission Statement Policy and Procedures Policy and Implementation

Teams System Stakeholders /

Collaboration Planning Communication Resources / Budget Systemic change

Recruitment and Hiring Training Performance Management Measurement Information Management Research / Evaluation Assessment and

Classification Case Planning Treatment / Programs Intermediate Sanctions

Philosophy and Guiding Principles

Programs and Community Interventions

Funding Portfolio

Merging Organizational Components

EBP is compatible with Juvenile Justice Initiatives and Reform efforts….System of Care and Juvenile

Detention Alternatives Initiative

Family Preservation Least Restrictive Setting Natural Setting Interagency Collaboration Family Involvement Cultural Competence Reducing Unnecessary

Confinement Developing Alternatives to

detention Reducing Racial Disparity Avoid Net-widening

BARJ Repair not retribution Community Involvement Skill building

EBP Matching service to risk Supports least restrictive

interventions Supports Data Driven process

Examples of EBP In Santa Cruz

Family Wellness – Parent Education

Thinking For A Change

Motivational Approaches to Success program MET/CBT 5 Intervention with GAIN

Seven Challenges

Aggression Replacement Training

Embedding EBP curriculum into intensive programs.

Juvenile Hall

The Evening Center

Wraparound

Taking a Research based Perspective Challenge Grant Reclaiming Futures Evaluation Grant Evaluations Outcomes of reforms

Downsizing of Delinquency in Santa Cruz

A Closer look at Reform Efforts In Santa Cruz

A Significant Reduction in the Juvenile Hall Population…

47

22

0

10

20

30

40

50

Day

s

1997 2009

Average Daily Population

53%

Decrease

A Significant Reduction in the Juvenile Hall Population…

Average Daily Population

2220232317

2327

33363541

5247

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Da

ys

58%

Decrease

A Significantly Shorter Stay in Juvenile Hall…

13

11

10

10.5

11

11.5

12

12.5

13

Day

s

1996 2009

Average Length of Stay

15%

Decrease

There are Significantly Fewer Latinos in Custody…

33

18

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Day

s

1996 2009

Average Daily Population: Latino Youth

45%

Decrease

Annual Rate of JH Bookings for White vs. Latino Youth, 2000 - 2008(Bookings are defined as any youth brought to the doors of Juvenile Hall )

2.5%

7.2%

4.0%3.6% 3.7% 3.6%

3.0%2.8%

3.0%3.1%3.7%

4.2%

3.3%3.1%

6.1%

4.8%

4.3%

3.4%

0%

1%

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Per

cen

t B

oo

ked

as

Co

mp

ared

to

Gen

eral

P

op

ula

tio

n

White

Latino

Racial Disparity has Been Reduced along with Reductions in Bookings

Cumulative Detention Alternative Success Rates 2001 through 2009

2%(80)

4%(164)

94%(3660)

FTA

Re-Arrests

Successful Completions

Youth in Alternatives to Detention do not Jeopardize Public Safety…

Dropping Arrest Rates and Stable Felony Adjudication Rates…

29.2

26.224.5

16.617.8 17.4

15.5 15.8 15.7

19.7 19.0

14.4

7.27.9 8.7

7.1 8.09.1

7.9 6.89.4

7.7 8.5 8.6

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Santa Cruz County Juvenile Felony Arrest Rate per 1,000 Santa Cruz County Juvenile Adjudication Rate per 1,000

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1996 2009

1996 104 35 11 46.7

2009 37 12 2 22.3

Unique Placement

OrdersRanch Camp CYA

Juvenile Hall ADP

Reductions at all levels of Institutional care

Probation Department Values

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1996 2008

1996 46.7 104 35 11 14 0 0

2008 19.9 44 15 3 0 63 37

Juvenile Hall ADP

Foster Care Ranch Camp DJJRedwoods/S

TAREvening Center

Wrap

Santa Cruz County Reductions at all levels of Institutional care, while

increasing capacity of community based interventions...

0 50 100 150 200 250

DetentionAlternatives

Evening Center

PlacementAlternatives

Placement

Juvenile Hall

$ per Day

Juvenile Justice InterventionsGeneral Fund Cost Per Child

*Detention alternatives include home supervision, electronic monitoring and advocacy and recreation services through a community based agency.

Final thoughts

If we over sell, we ultimately water down Talking EBP is different that Walking EBP It will take state and local leadership, researchers

and foundation support to pull it off This constitute broad culture change and big shifts

in thinking– we are not their yet A curriculum is not going to change lives– Beyond

social learning there needs to be a youth development framework that supports and encourages prosocial growth through advocacy in addition to supervision as we know it in probation

YCORP

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