The
primary purpose of this phase is to identify and describe where DMC is
occurring, including the relative extent and nature of the DMC issue.
This information provides a starting baseline for future monitoring and
provides initial guidance for the assessment phase. The Relative Rate
Index (RRI) method is used to compare the rates of activity for minority
youth with majority youth at selected key decision points in the
juvenile justice system:
There are
nine decision points in the juvenile justice systems that are generally
considered for DMC monitoring and investigation. They are:
-
Decision Point 1 -
Juvenile Referrals
-
Decision Point 2 -
Juvenile Referrals Received by the Juvenile Department
-
Decision Point 3 -
Juvenile Referrals Diverted
-
Decision Point 4 -
Juvenile Referrals Involving Secure Detention
-
Decision Point 5 -
Juvenile Referrals Petitioned (Charge Filed)
-
Decision Point 6 -
Juvenile Referrals Resulting in Delinquent Findings
-
Decision Point 7 -
Juvenile Referrals Resulting in Probation Placement
-
Decision Point 8-
Juvenile Referrals Resulting in Confinement in Secure Juvenile
Correctional Facilities
-
Decision Point 9 -
Juvenile Cases Transferred to Adult Court
Additional
data and decision points may be considered for assessment or monitoring
in a county DMC plan, such as juvenile referrals processed as Measure 11
cases.
Data from
other areas may also be monitored, such as the data profile of children
and youth who are identified by JCP risk screening as being at imminent
risk for entering the juvenile justice system. Contributing factor areas
may also be assessed and monitored, such as the data profile of youth
who are expelled or drop out of school (by gender, race, ethnicity and
geographic area), and other social indicators.
Phase II:
Assessment/Diagnosis
The major
activity of the assessment phase is to conduct an in-depth examination
of why DMC is occurring at one of more key decision points in the
system. The assessment process attempts to identify the underlying
causes and factors that are contributing to DMC.
Phase III:
Intervention
Findings
in the Assessment/Diagnosis Phase should point to policy and practice
changes, as well as suggest interventions that will reduce the DMC
issues that were identified in Phase II.
Corrective
actions and interventions usually will fall into four categories.
-
System Change –
modifying or changing policies, procedures or practices in the
juvenile justice system that are contributing to identified DMC
issues;
-
Training and Technical
Assistance – for various agencies and personnel to improve skills,
awareness, competencies, and practice;
-
Redirected Services -
targeting at-risk and system-involved youth, families, and
communities with existing resources and early intervention and
prevention efforts; and,
-
New Services -
implementation of new services or programs based on specific
strategies in the county DMC plan for reducing identified
disportionality or disparities;
Phase IV:
Process Evaluation
Evaluation
occurs throughout the project. Quarterly RRI data reviews help to
determine whether strategies for intervention are achieving desired
objectives. Focusing on how an intervention is achieving outcomes
assures that the changes in DMC at different points in the system are
attributable to planned interventions or for some other reason.
Phase V:
Monitoring for Outcomes
The
monitoring phase is ongoing. Periodic assessment of the achievement of
project objectives as well as assessing RRI trend data is essential in
determining whether any changes in DMC in the prioritized decision
points is sustained over time and truly reduced.
