Program Goals
Juvenile Justice Assessment Planning Referral Placement (JARPP) is a training curriculum for juvenile justice probation/parole case managers (PCMs). JARPP was designed to promote PCMs’ use of evidence-based practices (EBPs), (including standardized assessment tools, ongoing case planning, and service referral) to identify the mental health and substance use needs of delinquent youths and increase their access to community clinical services. JARPP includes a 3-day training that provides PCMs with content and principles behind the primary elements of JARPP (assessment, case planning, and referral), as well as activities to build the PCMs’ capacity to implement the EBPs effectively. JARPP focuses on service-oriented supervision and on engaging youths and families in planning and behavior change, which is reflected in the training content and skill-building exercises.
Program Activities
The JARPP protocol promotes the use of standardized assessment tools and case planning to identify the needs of youths. The protocol includes 1) a series of standardized assessment tools adopted by the agency, 2) guidelines for treatment matching based on assessment results, and 3) referral procedures for providers (Taxman et al. 2014). For the 3-day core training, an extensive manual of practice guidelines was developed and incorporated into the sessions. PCMs also receive supplemental materials including daily lesson plans, case studies, and materials for role playing. In addition, PCMs receive information on risk and needs assessment and the use of the agency’s intake screens and treatment service planning protocols.
The first day of training, “Understanding and Interacting with Youth: What Works,” provides an understanding and overview of the core areas. These areas include the strengths-based perspective, elements of the case plan and behavioral contracting, roles and responsibilities of the PCM and the supervisor of case management, a review of adolescent development and perspectives on youth culture, and engaging families.
The second day, “Communications and Using Your Tools,” focuses on motivational interviewing (MI) and the use of OARS (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizations). The second day also covers risk and needs factors and assessment tools, individualized case plans (with attention to gender and family dynamics), and using sanctions and incentives.
The final training day, “Keeping it Simple,” includes lessons on incorporating MI skills into assessment and planning. Additional lessons include connecting service plans and interventions to stages of behavioral change in youths; skills for dealing with resistant youths; case planning, monitoring, and documentation; and strategies to enhance collaboration with community partners.
The JARPP training model also includes three 2-hour follow-up training sessions, which are held approximately 3, 6, and 12 months following the 3-day (18-hour) core training. Enhanced JARPP training is also an option. Enhanced training consists of a JARPP trainer–an individual recruited from the PCM staff who received additional training—who can function as an onsite peer specialist to office colleagues and provide ongoing assistance in applying the JARPP skills and principles. The peer specialists also identify any concerns or issues that impede the implementation of JARPP training (such as staff resistance to change), which can be addressed in follow-up booster sessions.
