Agency: Juvenile Justice Services

Line Item: Programs and Operations

Function

The Programs and Operations line item is the sole line item for the Division of Juvenile Justice Services. Prior to FY 2007, the Youth Parole Authority was a separate line item within the division.

Intent Language

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for the Division of Juvenile Justice services line item in Item 21 of Chapter 11, Laws of Utah 2012, not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2013. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to expenditures for data processing and technology based expenditures, facility repairs and maintenance and improvements, other charges and pass through expenditures, and short-term projects and studies that promote efficiency and service improvement.

Notwithstanding the intent language authorized by the Legislature in Item 21 of Chapter 422, Laws of Utah 2012, the Legislature intends that the Division of Juvenile Justice Services may use nonlapsing balances to operate the Weber Valley Detention Center through the end of the fiscal year 2013.

The Legislature intends that the Division of Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS) return to the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (EOCJ), in the interim period between the 2013 General Session and the 2014 General Session, a detailed written report of all receiving centers operated in the State of Utah. Details should include but are not limited to: the operations and maintenance costs of running each respective building, personnel costs including number of FTE at each facility, location of each receiving center, appropriations allocated to each facility and the funding mix for each, services provided at each facility, in addition to recidivism data - performance and workload measures for each receiving center, etc. Additionally, the Legislature intends that this report includes analysis and options for obtaining local government and private funding for the operations and maintenance of receiving centers. The funding model currently employed by the Children's Justice Centers Program in the Attorney General's Office shall be included in this analysis. DJJS should submit this report to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst no later than September 1, 2013

Performance

With the current performance tracking method used by the Division of Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS), performance data is aggregated at the agency level with no program specific data available. As a result, the same performance data for DJJS services is reported for multiple programs throughout this compendium of budget information.

Funding Detail

For more detail about a particular source of finance or organizational unit, click a linked entry in the left column of the table(s) below.

Program: Administration

Function

DJJS Administration is responsible for administration of all mandated duties, division policy development, centralized fiscal services and budgetary development, program planning and evaluation, research, training, and quality assurance. DJJS Administration is also accountable for oversight and quality control of the division's activities. Program offices direct the day-to-day operations of the division (UCA 62A-7-104(2)).

In addition to administrative responsibilities, the DJJS director represents the division in a variety of settings including: division director within the Department of Human Services; member of the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice; member of the Sentencing Commission; member of the Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council; and chair of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice - Juvenile Justice Committee.

DJJS Administration is organized into five bureaus:

Research and Evaluation. Promotes ongoing research, evaluation, and monitoring of division programs to determine their effectiveness in providing services to delinquent youth.

Investigations. Investigates non-routine, unusual, or potentially threatening events related to clients in division and contracted programs.

Training. Emphasizes professionalism and maintains the latest, most effective treatment methods focusing on the proper care of youth in division programs; it also coordinates the volunteer efforts throughout the division.

Clinical. Coordinates the treatment of youth in secure care.

Administrative Services. Controls and monitors administrative functions in the division, including accounting, budgeting, grants, contracts, technology, reporting, and compliance.

Statutory Authority

UCA 62A-7-104 (1 through 12) provides statutory guidelines for the administration of Juvenile Justice Services.

UCA 62A-7-103 establishes the division director's position as well as outlines the qualifications and the responsibilities of the job.

Performance

DJJS administration has provided the three measures it feels are most indicative of its success, they are: 1) Number of quality service reviews completed, 2) Number of quality assurance audits completed, and 3) Number of volunteer hours contributed and the value of those hours at $14 per hour.

Quality Service Reviews Completed

The Quality Service Review process is a structured case review method used to examine key functions of service delivery systems, identify client outcomes and the particular elements of practice that contribute, or are needed, to produce positive results. The goal is to generate useful information for staff at all levels as to outcomes for youth and families served, strengths and needs of local practice and opportunities for improving system performance. The administration began tracking this measure in FY 2012. The number of reviews decreased in FY 2013 as the number of case management positions was reduced.

Quality Assurance Audits Completed

The Quality Assurance Team audits all DJJS contracted private providers for residential and out-patient services, as well as DJJS vendor contracts to assure contract compliance. The Quality Assurance Team also audits state-operated programs to ensure compliance with agency Operations Manuals and DJJS Policy and Procedures.

Volunteer Hours Contributed and Value of Those Hours at $14 Per Hour

Volunteers are critical to the success of youths in the Division's care. Volunteers regularly mentor and teach youths on a variety of topics that help the youths find satisfaction through everyday activities and help the youths find satisfaction through everyday activities and help them become more productive citizens when they return to the community.

Funding Detail

Program: Early Intervention Services

Function

The Early Intervention Services Program provides, through direct operation or contractual agreements, preemptive, front-end services to youth, their families, and the community in a geographic area covered by the Second, Third, and Fourth Juvenile Court districts. The program manages:

Receiving Centers. Non-residential facilities where law enforcement officers can take youth who have been arrested but do not meet the admission guidelines for secure detention. The staff locates parents or guardians which frees law enforcement to return to normal duties. Staff members assess the youth to determine if other interventions may be of benefit, and notify parents of resources available in the community.

Home Detention. Provides an alternative to secure detention for youth awaiting adjudication or placement. Youth are home in the community with daily supervision provided by qualified staff.

Youth Services. Provides 24-hour crisis counseling services to runaway and ungovernable youth and their families. Services attempt to keep families intact and commit resources, but short of a full intervention into the Juvenile Justice System. Services also include short-term crisis beds.

Diversion Services. Short-term (30 day) treatment services to non-DJJS custodial youth referred by the Juvenile Court. Programming includes intensive daily supervision, competency development, and community service/restitution.

Genesis Youth Center. This work program provides the opportunity for youth offenders to provide restitution to victims. Services help to maintain and operate public agencies and non-profit programs. The center also provides education and prevocational programs.

Observation and Assessment Centers. This 45-day program allows the division to prepare a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plane for custody youth. Resulting recommendations to the Juvenile Court facilitate future treatments and placements. Psychological, behavioral, social, educational, and physical assessments, evaluations, and observations are utilized.

Statutory Authority

• UCA 62A-7-104 establishes statutory authority for early intervention programs.
• UCA 62A-7-601 details prevention and early intervention program standards
• UCA 62A-7-601(1) directs the establishment and operation of youth services programs.
• UCA 62A-7-601(5) directs the establishment and administration of receiving centers.

Performance

The program has identified the top performance measures it uses to monitor success in each of its focus areas. Greater detail is provided for each focus area below.

Receiving Centers

1. Percent Of Youth Released To A Parent Or Guardian. Receiving centers strive to reunite youth with their parents or adult guardians and to aid the family in obtaining community resources available to address offending issues. The measure identifies the program's ability to successfully do this. (Note: Not included in the graph data are youth admitted to crisis residential and later released to a parent or guardian, rather than being released directly to a parent or guardian from receiving centers).

   FY 2013 Results:

   Total Admissions: 3,390 Males Admitted: 2,038 Females Admitted: 1,352 Different Youth Served: 2,561
   

2. Percent Of Law Enforcement Who Return To Duty Within 20 Minutes After Bringing A Youth To The Center. Local law enforcement officers place status offending youth in receiving centers, thus allowing the officers to quickly return to their duties in the community. This measure identifies how successful the program meets the local law enforcement officers need to return to their regular duties.
   

Youth Services

1. Percent of Youth Who Avoid Receiving A New Disposition For DCFS Custody, DJJS Custody, or Juvenile Court Within 90 Days of Release From Youth Services. This measure identifies how the services and referrals provided by Youth Services deter youth from further need of State services.

   FY 2013 Results: 97.3%

   Crisis Results:

   • Total Admissions: 1,168
   • Different Youth Served: 771
   • Males Admitted: 652
   • Females Admitted: 516

   60 Day Counseling Results:

   • Total Admissions: 583
   • Different Youth Served: 557
   • Males Admitted: 296
   • Females Admitted: 287
   • Average Length of Stay: 64.1 Days

   Group Home Results:

   • Total Admissions: 2,842
   • Different Youth Served: 2,069
   • Males Admitted: 1,604
   • Females Admitted: 1,238
   • Average Length of Stay: 2.7 Days

Diversion Services

1. Percent Of Youth Completing The Program Without A New Felony Charge Within 90 Days. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from more serious offenses.

   FY 2013 Results:

   Total Admissions: 1,193 Different Youth Served: 1,044 Males Admitted: 882 Females Admitted: 311 Average Length of Stay: 29 Days
   

2. Percent Of Youth Completing The Program Without A New Felony Or Misdemeanor Charge Within 90 Days. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from any type of offense.
   

3. Percent Of Youth With A Negative Drug Test At Program End. This measure identifies the program's ability to suppress youths delinquency and avoid further penetration into the juvenile justice system.
   

4. Percent Of Youth Who Complete The Program. This measures the program's ability to successfully divert youth from more restrictive and costly detention facilities.
   

5. In-Program Protection--Percent Of Youth Felony Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

6. In-Program Protection--Percent of Youth Felony and Misdemeanor Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

Genesis Work Program

1. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Charge Within 90 Days Of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from more serious offenses.

   FY 2013 Results:

   Total Admissions: 213 Different Youth Served: 238 Males Admitted: 152 Females Admitted: 61 Average Length of Stay: 58 Days
   

2. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Or Misdemeanor Charge Within 90 Days of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from any type of offense.
   

3. Percent Of Youth Who Complete At Least 85% Of Their Court-Ordered Restitution And Community Service While In The Program. The Genesis program provides a vehicle for youth to meet their court-ordered obligations. This measures the program's ability to have youth complete those obligations.
   

4. In-Program Protection--Percent Of Youth Felony Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

5. In-Program Protection--Percent of Youth Felony and Misdemeanor Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

Observation and Assessment [O&A]

1. Percent Of Youth Where The Assessment Disposition Recommendations Are Followed By The Court. After assessments are completed, the staff use the gathered information to make recommendations to the courts as to the best placement for the youths. This measures the staffs ability to make appropriate recommendations and to articulate those effectively to the courts.

   FY 2013 Results:

   Total Admissions: 576 Different Youth Served: 624 Males Admitted: 419 Females Admitted: 157 Average Length of Stay: 43.3 Days
   

2. Percent Of O&A Reports Submitted To The Court Within 48 Hours Of The Court Hearing. This measures the staff's responsiveness to submit information to the courts for their proceedings.
   

3. In-Program Protection--Percent Of Youth Felony Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

4. In-Program Protection--Percent of Youth Felony and Misdemeanor Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

Funding Detail

During the 2013 General Session, the Legislature appropriated $1.25 million in General Fund ongoing money to continue operation of the Genesis Work program. This $1.25 million is a part of the $14.2 million General Fund appropriation in the FY 2014 Approp column below.

The $2.0 million increase in General Fund appropriations from FY 2013 to FY 2014 is a result of the shift of oversight of Observation and Assessment Centers along the Wasatch Front from the Office of Community Programs to the Office of Early Intervention Services in FY 2013.

Program: Community Programs

Function

The Community Program area provides a wide variety of services to youth, their families, and the community along the Wasatch Front. Most clients are from the Second, Third, and Fourth Juvenile Court districts.

Services include:

• case management,
• community-based programs, and
• aftercare/transition programs.

Statutory Authority

Statutory authority for Community Programs is UCA 62A-7-104 and UCA 62A-7-701. These sections provide the general operating and procedural guidelines.

Performance

Case Management

1. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Charge Within 360 Days Of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from more serious offenses.

   FY 2013 Results:

   Total Admissions: 1,022 Different Youth Served: 1,879 Males Admitted: 812 Females Admitted: 210 Average Length of Stay: 344.5 Days
   

2. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Or Misdemeanor Charge Within 360 Days of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from more serious offenses.
   

3. In-Program Protection--Percent Of Youth Felony Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

4. In-Program Protection--Percent of Youth Felony and Misdemeanor Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

Community Placements

1. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Charge Within 360 Days Of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from more serious offenses.
   

2. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Or Misdemeanor Charge Within 360 Days of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from more serious offenses.
   

3. In-Program Protection--Percent Of Youth Felony Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

4. In-Program Protection--Percent of Youth Felony and Misdemeanor Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

Transition

1. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Charge Within 360 Days Of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from more serious offenses.

   FY 2013 Results:

   Total Admissions: 689 Different Youth Served: 586 Males Admitted: 563 Females Admitted: 126 Average Length of Stay: 83.6 Days
   

2. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Or Misdemeanor Charge Within 360 Days of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from more serious offenses.
   

3. In-Program Protection--Percent Of Youth Felony Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

4. In-Program Protection--Percent of Youth Felony and Misdemeanor Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

Funding Detail

Program: Correctional Facilities

Function

Correctional Facilities provides a variety of facilities and programs that include a level of institutional or restricted living. These include:

Secure Care. Provide long-term services for serious and repeat offenders including quality treatment, education, vocation, psycho-education services as well as medical care. All services are conducted within secure facilities under the supervision of DJJS staff.

Detention Facilities. Provide temporary care for youth under age 18 who are awaiting court proceedings, placement, or are serving a sentence ordered by the Juvenile Court. A judge can commit youth to detention services for a maximum of 30 days. While in detention, youth are provided with health care as well as education and recreation programming.

Statutory Authority

The general principles and authority for this program are scattered throughout UCA 62A-7. Specific sections are noted below:

UCA 62A-7-101 defines the terms of correctional facilities;

UCA 62A-7-104 directs the division to operate and maintain secure facilities and programs; and

UCA 62A-7-201 through 203 and 401.5 specifically address the issues of confinement, secure facilities, detention facilities, and restrictions.

Performance

Detention

1. Admissions Percent - Clients With Contempt, Warrants Or Administrative Holds. The percentage mix of these three categories of admissions helps identify what types of clients are coming into detention facilities and the resources needed to address the needs of those youth.

   Those admissions for contempt, warrants, or administrative holds are an indication of longer stays up to 30 days, with more long term resources needed to address those client needs in the detention facilities.

   FY 2013 Results:

   Total Admissions: 8,484 Different Youth Served: 4,275 Males Admitted: 6,531 Females Admitted: 1,953 Average Length of Stay: 8.7 Days
   

2. Admissions Percent - Clients With New Charges. Clients with new charges, depending on the charges, could indicate longer detention stays with additional resources required.
   

3. Admissions Percent - Clients Waiting Placement. Clients awaiting placement have generally a short length of stay (just a few days).
   

Secure Care

1. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Charge Within 360 Days Of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths' further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from more serious offenses.

   FY 2013 Results:

   Total Admissions: 201 Different Youth Served: 321 Males Admitted: 180 Females Admitted: 21 Average Length of Stay: 295.4 Days
   

2. Percent Of Youth Without A New Felony Or Misdemeanor Charge Within 360 Days of Release. This measure identifies youth recidivism after program completion. This measures the program's ability to suppress youths' further penetration into the juvenile justice system and to keep the community safe from any type of offense.
   

3. In-Program Protection--Percent Of Youth Felony Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

4. In-Program Protection--Percent of Youth Felony and Misdemeanor Free While In The Program. This measures the program's effectiveness at keeping the youth crime free during their stay in the program.
   

Funding Detail

During the 2013 General Session, the Legislature appropriated $1.2 million in nonlapsing balances from the Department of Corrections to DJJS. This $1.2 million is reflected as a General Fund one-time appropriation for FY 2014 in the table below and its purpose is to fund the Weber Valley Detention Center for one year.

Program: Rural Programs

Function

Rural Programs includes short-term detention services, secure care, case management, observation and assessment services, community-based alternatives, home detention, work programs, shelters, receiving centers, and early intervention services all designed to meet the needs of youth offenders in rural areas of the state.

Statutory Authority

This program operates under authority derived from sections found at UCA 62A-7. The program provides a combination of services found in each of the other DJJS programs but specifically focuses on rural parts of the state.

Performance

DJJS Administration does not currently provide program specific performance measures for the Rural Programs program. Instead, the results of the services and programs in Rural Programs are rolled up into those measures found in the Early Intervention, Community Programs, and Correctional Facilities programs.

Funding Detail

During the 2013 General Session, the Legislature appropriated $750,000 in nonlapsing balances from the Department of Corrections to DJJS. This $750,000 is reflected as a General Fund one-time appropriation for FY 2014 in the table below and its purpose is to fund the receiving centers in Blanding and Cedar City at their current funding levels for FY 2014.

Program: Youth Parole Authority

Function

The Youth Parole Authority is responsible for parole release, rescission, revocation, and termination for youth offenders who have been committed to the division for secure confinement. The Youth Parole Authority determines when and under what conditions committed youth offenders are eligible for parole. The Parole Authority is a citizen board appointed by the Governor and acts independently of DJJS.

Background

In FY 2007, the Youth Parole Authority became a program in the DJJS Programs and Operations line item.

Statutory Authority

The governing statute of the Youth Parole Authority is within the division's section of Utah Code 62A-7.

• UCA 62A-7-501 creates the Youth Parole Authority and establishes the authorized membership, expenses, responsibilities, and procedures; and
• UCA 62A-7-502 through 507 establishes parole procedures.

Performance

Youth Parole Authority Client Hearings

Funding Detail

In FY 2007, the Legislature combined the Youth Parole Authority line item with the DJJS Programs and Operations line item. The following table depicts the funding history for the Youth Parole Authority within the Programs and Operations line item.