	Juvenile Justice Corrections Services

Introduction

Administration and Management

Service Delivery Administration Standards

Service Standards

PA-JJC 16: Case Closing and Aftercare

Case closing is an orderly process, and aftercare is provided to monitor youth and help them solidify gains made during confinement.

PA-JJC 16.01

A written summary of the case record is provided to the court or another party with jurisdiction over the youth, and includes an assessment of:

any unmet needs;
the degree to which goals were or were not achieved; and
reasons for success or failure.

PA-JJC 16.02

Upon case closing, the agency notifies any collaborating service providers.

PA-JJC 16.03

Youth are helped to transition to services specified in the aftercare plan, and follow-up occurs at specified intervals after release to:

supervise youth;
ensure that youth access needed services and supports; and
monitor youths’ progress and well-being.

Interpretation: As noted in PA-JJC 5.07 and 15.02, another party, such as an aftercare case manager, may have primary responsibility for providing transition assistance and follow-up. When this is the case the agency may implement this standard by demonstrating that the other party facilitates the transition and conducts appropriate follow-up.

Note: COA recognizes that this one practice standard does not reflect the complexity of what should occur upon reentry, and the importance of aftercare should not be minimized. However, because follow-up services are typically provided by a separate organization or agency, aftercare is not addressed more comprehensively in this service section. Agencies providing PA-JJC are encouraged to partner with another organization or agency that provides the more in-depth aftercare services described in PA-JJCM, or to provide those services themselves.

Research Note: Literature suggests that aftercare often relies too heavily upon supervision, and highlights the importance of also providing services and supports.

NA The agency provides only detention services.

PA-JJC 16.04

As a continuing resource for information, crisis management, and support, the agency provides each youth with contact information for the agency or the aftercare provider, as appropriate.

NA The agency provides only detention services.

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	PURPOSE: Juvenile Justice Corrections Services promote public safety by helping youth overcome problems and develop the attitudes and skills needed to make responsible choices, avoid negative behaviors, and become productive, connected, and law-abiding citizens.

RELATED FILES


	SERVICE One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.


	CONNECTED The means by which individuals access services that may or may not be provided by the organization itself. These terms are used interchangeably when individuals are connected to services either directly or by referral. See also LINKED.


	CASE CLOSING A voluntary or involuntary process which occurs when an organization no longer assumes responsibility for providing services to a particular individual, group, or family. Also known as "termination" or "discharge."


	AFTERCARE Additional services provided beyond the period of primary care that offer continuity and supportive follow-up.


	CASE RECORD A written compilation that describes the client and the services delivered. Records can be in hard copy and/or electronic format. The case record can be used as a source of information for quality improvement or other evaluation activities, for research purposes, or to demonstrate accountability to funding bodies.


	ASSESSMENT An evaluation, which utilizes professional expertise and skills in the collection and analysis of data to understand and describe the nature of service needs of an individual, family, or group. Assessment, as in needs assessment, is also used to determine priorities of program planning and service development for the organization as a whole. See also DIAGNOSIS.


	CASE A general term used to designate clients (including individuals, families, and groups) served by an organization for purposes of monitoring the provision of services. A foster care case is generally based on the placement of an individual child, although casework for the child may include services to the child's family. A child protective services case is based on an entire family household if a family assessment model is used; otherwise a case is defined as a child.


	PRACTICE Established actions or ways of proceeding in the regular performance of organizational duties. Policies and procedures often guide practice.


	SUPERVISION Assumption of responsibility for directly overseeing and evaluating the work or work products of personnel within an organization. Also includes inspecting the act or process of accomplishing a function or activity.


	MANAGEMENT See ADMINISTRATION