	Juvenile Justice Case Management Services

Introduction

Administration and Management

Service Delivery Administration Standards

Service Standards

PA-JJCM 2: Engagement and Assessment

The agency contacts youth promptly, and conducts assessments that identify risks, needs, and strengths and are the basis for service planning and delivery.

Interpretation: It is likely that youth will have been assessed elsewhere before arriving at an agency providing PA-JJCM; however, agencies can still take steps to further evaluate them. At minimum, an agency should review the results of previous assessments to ensure they meet COA’s standards, and conduct additional assessments if those done previously are insufficient.

PA-JJCM 2.01

To promote safety and support timely initiation of services, youth are contacted promptly after referral.

PA-JJCM 2.02

Individualized assessments are conducted in a standardized manner, and address:

youths’ strengths and assets;
youths’ problems and needs; and
risks youth pose to the community.

Note: Refer to the Assessment Matrix for further guidance on assessment criteria. The elements of the matrix can be tailored according to the needs of specific individuals or service design.

PA-JJCM 2.03

Personnel who conduct assessments are qualified by relevant training, skill, and experience, and can recognize youth with special needs.

PA-JJCM 2.04

When youth are in need of further evaluation by another professional, the agency promptly provides or makes arrangements for specialized assessments.

PA-JJCM 2.05

Assessments are conducted in a responsive manner that includes attention to age, developmental level, gender, language, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and trauma history.

PA-JJCM 2.06

Assessments are conducted within specified timeframes and are updated periodically.

QUICK JUMP TO


	PURPOSE: Juvenile Justice Case Management Services coordinate the services and supervision that can help youth address problems and develop the attitudes and skills needed to make responsible choices, avoid negative behaviors, and become productive, connected, and law-abiding members of their communities.

RELATED FILES


	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.


	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.


	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.


	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.


	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.


	PLANNING The process of specifying objectives, evaluating the means for their achievement, and exercising deliberate decision making about appropriate courses of action.


	COMMUNITY A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.


	PERSONNEL The body of employees and/or volunteers that carries out the organization's tasks under the organization's administration and/or supervision. This definition does not include foster parents who are specifically referenced in relevant standards


	TRAINING Instruction so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient in a skill or body of knowledge.


	SPECIAL NEEDS A designation used in reference to conditions or characteristics of a person that reflect a need for special care, services, or treatment. When the term is used in the context of adoption services, special needs refers to conditions that make a child harder to place for adoption. This includes children who are members of sibling groups, older children, children with disabilities, children of certain racial /ethnic backgrounds, etc. When the term is used in the context of foster care it refers to the need for a higher degree of specialized case services and attention due to mental and physical disabilities. When the term is used in the context of out-of-school time services, a child or youth may have special physical, behavioral, medical, emotional, or cognitive needs that should be addressed or accommodated. The term is also used in other contexts. See also DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.


	MANAGEMENT See ADMINISTRATION


	ETHNICITY An orientation toward and identification with a population group that shares national origin, religion, race, or language.


	EVALUATION The review and assessment of organizational operations, programs and services.