Juvenile Accountability Grant - Floyd County Probation

Accountability Measures

The Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LSI) will be administered to all participants in the groups. The LSI will be the basis for referral to the groups, serving as an assessment tool for Floyd County Juvenile Probation and Community Corrections.  Specifically those juveniles who score in the moderate and high ranges in the areas that measure Substance Abuse (section 5), Personality and Behavior (section 7) and the Attitudes/Orientations (section 8) will be monitored. These specific scores along with the Overall Total will be documented prior to enrollment and at the end of specific programs that address that issue.

Schedule of Measurement 

Section 5 which documents Substance Abuse along with their overall score will be evaluated three times, once prior to initiation of participation in a Floyd County Probation group, on completion of the specific group and a three month follow-up if the participant. Juveniles who obtain elevated overall scores and elevations in sections 7 and 8 will attend the Communication Group. Assessment will be obtained on admission, on completion of the group and then a 3 month follow-up after graduation.

Review and Expectations

With all participants assigned a case number, those numbers with result shall be made available to the public on a web site in spread sheet form. It is expected that at least a 33% decrease in overall score be obtained by those individuals attending the Floyd County Probation groups. Specifically it is expected that the overall total of the Substance Abuse Scores at the end of the group be decreased by 33% which greatly decreases the risk of long term drug usage of those served. The specific items are listed below as they occur on the LSI. With a moderate level of usage seen as criteria for admission it can be expected that chronic drug and alcohol usage along with “abuse interfering with life” to be most likely affected. If chronic usage continues, recommendations for more intensive services funded under the grant will be made.

Source: The Youth of Service/Case Management Inventory / Robert D. Hoge and D.A. Andrews, Carleton University

With the purpose of the program to provide graduated levels of care, success can also be seen in the screening process and allowing for recommendations for treatment outside the Floyd County Probation Groups.  Those referrals will be indicated in the summary of results from the program. Scores of the Participant who do not complete a Floyd County Probation Group will be notated to the degree they participate but not included in the summary scores. It is expected the total scores obtained from the LSI for those completing  the Floyd County Probation Communication Group be reduced by 33% in section 7 (Personality and Behavior) and section 8 (Attitudes and Orientation). The criteria for admission to the Communications Group being in the in the moderated range (1-4 items selected on either section 7 or 8 of the LSI) Overall scores are to be obtained from all LSI’s in order to document the clients overall change in risk factors. This score will provide information for overall evaluation of the program and to help determine what additional programs, if any, may be important to assist this population.

 Drug Testing

It is important that Floyd County Probation maintain its policy of having random drug testing. This program will note any individuals that fail to pass a drug screen while a participant in the Floyd County Probation Groups. Referrals to appropriate treatment facilities or groups will be made based on their performance on the LSI and recommendations from mental health professionals.