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Evaluation of Mental Health Courts: Lessons Learned From a Multi-site Longitudinal Study
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| Presenter(s):
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| Asil Ozdogru, Policy Research Associates, aozdogru@prainc.com
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| Henry Steadman, Policy Research Associates, hsteadman@prainc.com
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| Abstract:
Mental health courts (MHC) are specialty courts within the legal system to facilitate the processing and diversion of people with mental health problems involved in the criminal justice system. MacArthur MHC evaluation study looked at four courts across the United States for three years in terms of public safety and mental health outcomes of defendants who were processed through MHCs and a similar comparison group who went through the regular court system. Preliminary analyses and our experiences show that adoption of a multi-site longitudinal evaluation strategy involving a wide range of stakeholders in an attempt to create change in multiple systems has methodological and analytical advantages as well as administrative and contextual challenges in the design and implementation of an evaluation study.
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The Effect of Out-of-Home Treatment on Criminal Activity: A Framework for Comparing Treatment Modalities
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| Presenter(s):
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| John Robst, University of South Florida, jrobst@fmhi.usf.edu
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| Mary Armstrong, University of South Florida, armstron@fmhi.usf.edu
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| Norin Dollard, University of South Florida, dollard@fmhi.usf.edu
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| Abstract:
Objective: The interaction between juvenile justice and out-of-home treatment is complex with differences in youth, providers, crime severity, and justice system placements. This presentation provides a framework for evaluating whether out-of-home treatment for children with mental health needs reduces criminal activity. Two particular questions focus on the importance of prior criminal activity, and whether placement with delinquent peers in residential settings affects future criminal activity.
Methods: Medicaid data from FY2002/03-2004/05 are merged with juvenile justice data. Changes in criminal behavior (arrests/severity of crime) are assessed using a difference-in-difference approach in conjunction with propensity score weighting.
Results: Youth treated in group homes had more post-treatment arrests and were more likely to commit felonies. The presence of delinquent peers also increased post-treatment criminal behavior.
Conclusion: Youth treated in therapeutic foster care had greater reductions in criminal activity. The importance of peer effects suggests that group homes face challenges in reducing criminal behavior.
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Evaluation of an Integrated Service Model and Family Drug Court to Improve Child Well-Being and Permanency Outcomes for Children Affected By Methamphetamine or Other Substance Abuse
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| Presenter(s):
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| Helen Holmquist-Johnson, Colorado State University, hjohnson@cahs.colostate.edu
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| Sonja Rizzolo, University of Northern Colorado, sonja.rizzolo@unco.edu
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| Abstract:
Parental use of methamphetamine is associated with a multitude of problems that have a negative impact on children such as poor parental capacity. Under these circumstances, children are at great risk of neglect and are frequently removed from their homes and placed in the child welfare system. The Regional Meth Partnership is one of 53 Regional partnership grantees funded by the Children's Bureau. The aim of the project is to improve safety, well-being, and permanency outcomes for children of families impacted by methamphetamines and other drugs through the provision of integrated services with a Family Treatment Drug Court (FTDC) model in two counties in Colorado. Indicators across four outcome domains: child/youth, adult, family/relationship and regional partnership/service capacity, are being collected. Evaluation findings, implications to practice, and recommendations will be presented.
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Evaluation of the South Dakota Public Safety Driving While Intoxicated (DUI) 1st Program Tracking DUI Recidivism
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| Presenter(s):
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| Roland Loudenburg, Mountain Plains Evaluation LLC, rolandl@mtplains.com
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| Abstract:
This session will describe the evaluation methods and results of a five year study of the implementation of a standardized DUI first offender curriculum upon DUI recidivism rates in South Dakota. Prior to implementation of the standardized curriculum, there was not a standardized/systemized approach for effectively dealing with first-time DUI offenders to curtail recidivism and to obviate the impacts of DUI on public safety. Thus the overall goal of this program was to facilitate a statewide demonstration project that implements the adoption of higher standards of education, treatment and care for the DUI 1st offender and measure program effectiveness using sound evaluation and statistical methods. Reaction to the evaluation methods and findings by stakeholders such as judges, prosecuting attorneys, treatment providers, public safety and policy makers will be discussed.
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