COUNTY OF LOS ANGELESPROBATION DEPARTMENT

9150 EAST IMPERIAL HIGHWAY - DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 90242(562) 940-2501

RICHARD SHUMSKYChief Probation Officer

September 5, 2003

TO Each Supervisor

Richard Shumsky"'VCChief Probation offi~

FROM:

SUBJECT: REPORT ON COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS FUNDED WITHJUVENILE JUSTICE CRIME PREVENTION ACT (JJCPA) FUNDS

This report is to provide your Board with an update on the status of programsoperated by community-based organizations (CBOs) funded through the JuvenileJustice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA). The data reported is consideredpreliminary; we are in the process of internal quality assurance verification.

Overall, the results indicate that the youth involved in the CBO programs appearto have benefited from the CBO services as evidenced by the reduction inarrests, incarcerations and violations. This data was collected utilizing a randomsampling methodology. We are in the midst of collecting the data on schooloutcomes and anticipate having this information available for the Board ofCorrections (BOC) report that is due October 15, 2003. The BOC report will alsobe a more comprehensive report that will not rely on the sampling methodology.

The ceo Performance outcomes show the following results for JJCPA youthparticipants (Attachments A, B, and C):

.

.

.

59% reduction in arrests81% reduction in incarcerations82% reduction in probation violations

Contract compliance: JJCPA has 29 lead CBOs that provide gang interventionintensive transition. gender specific, substance abuse, and remedial writingservices for probation and at-risk youth. The majority of the CBOs, 21 out of 29,met or exceeded their annual target number of youth to be enrolled over theprogram year (Attachment D).

PROBATION: PROTECTION, CORRECTION, SERVICE

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Of the CBOs that were not able to reach their targeted enrollment level, one wasa gang intervention agency (Community Self-Determination Institute) and twowere gender specific programs (New Directions for Youth and SoledadEnrichment Action). The gang intervention CBO, Community Self-DeterminationInstitute, is no longer a service provider. For the gender specific CBOs, NewDirections for Youth and Soledad Enrichment Action, we have begun taking theappropriate steps to increase their enrollment numbers. Our contract monitoringunit will report regularly on their progress.

In addition, the intensive transition programs (Homeboy Industries, I-ADARP (twocontracts), Soledad Enrichment Action, and United Community Action Network)had difficulties meeting their targets in all clusters. The Department hadpreviously implemented a corrective action plan to increase their enrollmentnumbers; nevertheless, it appears that the logistics of serving youth in campsacross the County and having to meet individually with youth transitioning back tothe community proved too difficult. The Department is reviewing the intensivetransition program to address the issues of target enrollment numbers andgeographical service areas. This will require modifications of the existingcontracts or issuing a new Request for Proposal (RFP).

Program outcomes: Three of the legislatively mandated measures wereanalyzed for JJCPA: arrests, incarcerations, and violations. Overall, youthparticipants in the ceo programs showed a 59% reduction in arrests, an 81%reduction in incarcerations and an 82% reduction in probation violations. Datafor these measures was also obtained from JCMS for the same CeO-servicedpopulation. Youth improvement was calculated by comparing youth measuresduring the six months following program entry with the six months before theystarted the program. The overall results have been supported by case reviewsparent feedback, and exit interviews conducted by the contract monitoring unit.

The program results appear to indicate that the CaDs, working collaborativelyand cooperatively with the Probation Department and other JJCPA serviceproviders, were able to impact key delinquent behavior indicators: arrests,violations, and incarcerations. However, the outcomes cannot be attributedsolely to the activities and services provided to the youth by these organizations.All youth who receive services provided by CBOs are participating in JJCPA"programs." CaDs provide some of the core services, but their services are onlypart of the "package" that youth receive. For example, youth in intensivetransition programs receive services from probation staff while they are in thecamp phase; they also receive supervision and case management by DPOswhen they return to the community. These services and supervision are thensupplemented by services provided by the ceo. Thus an improvement in arrestbehavior reflects a multi-pronged treatment - exactly what the JJCPA model wasdesigned to provide.

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Future Program Strategies: Given the generally positive results reported in ourprior report of the School-Based Probation Supervision programs and the MentalHealth initiatives, it appears that the CBO services have also yielded somepreliminary positive results. However, there is clearly a continuing need toimprove our service integration and coordination, and modify programs to bemore responsive to the needs of youth and families.

In the past month the Department and RAND have taken some steps toward along-term strategy to improve our programs through a more rigorous evaluationprocess for the programs. Department staff and Dr. Susan Turner from RANDconducted meetings over a three-day period with all CBOs to discuss the RANDpilot evaluation study of program effectiveness and new data that is beingcollected to monitor program outcomes. The RAND evaluation will look atseveral CBOs and develop monitoring tools for the Department's monitoringteam to use in assessing agencies. In addition, we have requested informationabout each ceo's program design, structure and theoretical models associatedwith their program activities. We are reviewing this information to gauge itsconsistency with those structures and elements that research has shown areused by effective programs. Over the coming months, the RAND study and theefforts of the Department will assist us in increasing program accountability,focusing monitoring efforts on program quality and enhancing programeffectiveness. We have undertaken this process to provide more informationabout how we can improve our efforts and our programs. We have identifiedareas of improvement: strengthening case management, fostering serviceintegration, increasing involvement with parents, improving academicperformance, and restructuring JJCPA contracts. The details of the RAND pilotwere provided to your Board in my August 20, 2003 memo.

The Department has continued to stress the training of staff and improving theskill and knowledge of staff in case management. In particular, DPOs are beingtrained to work more effectively with CBOs in integrated and joint casemanagement. Specific areas of case management that will be highlighted in thefuture will be: integrated case planning and services, timely and qualitydocumentation of case notes, increased and effective communication andsharing of case information, and quality lesson plans and instructions.

In addition to the training of DPOs, it appears that the case management beingprovided in a number of CBOs needs significant improvement. Towards thatend, the Department is attempting to structure minimum expectations to movetoward consistency and to provide joint training. Nevertheless, it appears thatthis will take a longer term commitment to address the weaknesses in casemanagement of the CBOs. The Department will need to provide significanttechnical assistance and monitor the results of the CBOs' efforts in casemanagement. Where necessary, the Department may have to impose graduatedcorrective sanctions to address continuing deficiencies by CBOs. Through ourcontract monitoring unit, we will monitor the CBOs' progress in the areas we

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identified as areas of future focus: strengthening case management, fosteringservice integration and program collaboration, increasing parent involvement.and improving academic performance.

The JJCPA strategy continues to focus on the need for collaborative efforts.One of the key tenets of the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act is theleveraging of services. This is consistent with the County's emphasis onprogram integration, communication, and coordination. During the past twoyears, county and city government agencies, in particular law enforcement andprobation, have worked closely and effectively with schools and community-based organizations. The community level intervention that we envisioned andoutlined in our plan approved by your Board March 20, 2001, called for thejettisoning of fragmented service-delivery and programs in favor ofcomprehensive and neighborhood-specific strategies. Monthly cluster meetingsare being held with the aim of: improving collaboration and expandingcollaborative partners, providing timely access to services, reducing duplicationof services, and involving faith-based and key community stakeholders.

In each of our programs, we have begun to place greater emphasis on parentinvolvement and empowerment. We will survey parents during the fall schoolsemester to gauge their needs and concerns, with an emphasis on increasingtheir involvement in the lives of their children. Parenting meetings are also beingplanned to support school and community involvement.

The core strategy of the JJCPA plan is to reconnect participant youth to schoolsand increase their academic performance. This is consistent with the researchthat shows that education, i.e., attending school, engaging in academic studies,and displaying good citizenship, is the most effective protective factor forprobation and at-risk youth. Conversely, research shows that youth who areilliterate and perform poorly in school are at higher risk of becoming involved injuvenile crime. The overwhelming majority of JJCPA participants read belowgrade level, compounding problems with their academics. CBO services havebeen structured around reinforcing and improving academic performance. Wewill need to work with the CBOs to strengthen their tutorial and homeworkassistance services. Additionally, the Department will work with RAND inreviewing and advising CBOs on the use of evidence-based curriculums in lifeskills and academic training. Further, through our restructured Operation ReadProgram, we will augment the literacy and homework assistance services of theCBOs by having the Operation Read tutors work directly with JJCPA youth whoare on caseloads of school, housing, gang, and intensive transition DeputyProbation Officers (DPO).

The focus of ceo services has been determined in large measure by thestatement of work developed two years ago for the JJCPA contracts. For themost part the CBOs have placed emphasis on meeting the service obligationsspelled out in their respective contracts. Given our emphasis on case

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management, intensity of services and quality of service delivery, we arereviewing the case management standards, parent participation and involvement,number of youth to be served, and frequency of services with an eye towardmodifying contracts or, if substantial changes are deemed, issuing new RFPs.

Summary of CBO Outcome Performance: The overarching goals of theJJCPA plan are to reduce delinquency and improve school performance. TheCBO performance results indicate that the programs that the youth are involvedin appear to have impacted delinquency indicators such as arrests, violations,and incarcerations. Nevertheless, such results need to undergo more rigorousanalysis to understand any linkages to the performance outcomes. Further werecognize that continuous improvement is needed and, in some cases,modifications warranted.

The JJCPA plan structured the linkages of ceo services with Probation andother agency services. As indicated in the plan, key design elements areembedded in each of the programs - intensive focus on school achievement,strength-based case management, extended day supervision and effectiverelationships with clients. The ceo performance outcomes reaffirm andreinforce these design elements as well as the contribution of all agencyproviders who worked and were involved with the youth participants. Further, werecognize that some CBOs are more advanced than others and that some CBOsprovide services in areas impacted by intense gang violence, on-going drugtrafficking, and concentrated poverty. We need to work with RAND in sorting outthese types of factors in terms of their impact on ceo performance and theeffectiveness of the interventions implemented by the CBOs.

I will keep your Board updated as to the progress of the funded JJCPA agencies.Please call me if I can provide any additional information.

RS/ji:bdAttachmentscc: David Janssen, Chief Administrative Officer

Violet Varona-Lukens, Executive Officer

J.K:PA ~ m 80S ~

LA. COUNTY PROBATM>N DEPARTMEHT JULY 2003

JJCPA DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR INDICATORSPARTICIPANT ARRESTS by DISTRICT, PROGRAM AND CBO

1 166

15

010

810

853

01

62

313

200

800

1f.2

40

23

-13-5

-12

2.10

0-1

0

.7

...-f

4-1

-39-"

-0.2 !. .,;

2

3

4

ART SHARE - BELUSOUTH GATEART SHARE - HIGHLAND PARK/EAST LA

PROJECT LEADS

ASIAN AMERICAN DRUG ABUSECENTRAL RECOVERY & DEVELOPMENTSTOP THE VIOLENCE

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS - HOLLYWOOD

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS - SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

PROJECT HEAVY WEST

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING - BELLFLOWER/WHITTIERHELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING - NORTH LONG BEACH

RICHSTONE FAMILY

COMMUNITY SELF DETERMINATION - SAN GABRIEL

UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK5

TOTAL

1

2

3

4

5

HOMEBOYS INDUSTRIES

I-ADARP

SOlEDAD ENRICHMENT ACTION

I-ADARP

UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION NElWORK

30

10

14

9

1275

1.

3

8

3

635

-16

-7

-5

-6

-6-40TOTAlw.

COUNTYWIDEHEAlTH SERVICES ALCOHOL & DRUG PROGRAM 14

1455

-9

-8TOTAL

~

COUNTYWIDE

131730

66

12

-7

-11-18

SOlEDAD ENRICHMENT ACTION

LOS ANGELES COMMISSION ON ASSAULTS AGAINST WOMENTOTAL

COUNTYWIDEAlETHOS FOUNDATION 7

722

-5

-5TOTAL

~

* Juvenile Hall and Camp Programs

ATTACHMENT A

LA. COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT JULY 2003

JJCPA DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR INDICATORSPARTICIPANT INCARCERATIONS by DISTRICT, PROGRAM AND CBO

1 1018

100

400

635

42

44

352

001

900

122

62

33

~, I

I

4c'

-61Ii

~11

oi

2

3 500

-54

-3

Z

()-11

5

ART SHARE - BELUSOUTH GATE

ART SHARE - HIGHLAND PARK/EAST LA

PROJECT LEADS

ASIAN AMERICAN DRUG ABUSE

CENTRAL RECOVERY & DEVELOPMENT

STOP THE VIOLENCE

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS - HOLLYWOOD

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS - SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

PROJECT HEAVY WEST

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING - BELLFLOWER/WHITTIER

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING - NORTH LONG BEACH

RICHSTONE FAMILY

COMMUNITY SELF DETERMINATION - SAN GABRIEL

UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORKTOTAL

1

2

3

4

5

124

97

157

50

46474

39

14

16

7

1187

-851;

-83

-141

-43

-35-387

HOMEBOYS INDUSTRIES

I-ADARP

SOLEDAD ENRICHMENT ACTION

I-ADARP

UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORKTOTAL

COUNTYWIDE1616

HEALTH SERVICES ALCOHOL & DRUG PROGRAM 55

-11:-11:TOTAL

COUNTYWIDE264352616

7433

107

-190

-319-509

SOLEDAD ENRICHMENT ACTION

LOS ANGELES COMMISSION ON ASSAULTS AGAINST WOMENTOTAL

COUNTYWIDE9191

66

ALETHOS FOUNDATION -85-85TOTAL

* Juvenile Hall and Camp Programs

ATTACHMENTS

LA. COUNTY PROBA TK)H DEPARTMENT .AA.V8S

JJCPA DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR INDICATORSPARTICIPANT VIOLATIONS by DISTRICT, PROGRAM AND CBO

1 144

10

010

500

743

01

49

100

000

100

002

004

-13..

-10

0-10

..00

-7..-1

0-1

-45

2

3

4

5

ART SHARE - BELUSOUTH GATE

ART SHARE - HIGHLAND PARK/EAST lA

PROJECT LEADS

ASIAN AMERICAN DRUG ABUSE

CENTRAL RECOVERY & DEVELOPMENT

STOP THE VIOLENCE

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS - HOLLYWOOD

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS - SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

PROJECT HEAVY WEST

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING - BELLFLOWERIWHITTIER

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING - NORTH LONG BEACH

RICH STONE FAMILY

COMMUNITY SELF DETERMINATION - SAN GABRIEL

UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORKTOTAL

1

2

3

4

5

24

11

10

9

1064

5

2

3

1

213

-19

.9

.7

-8

-8-51

HOMEBOYS INDUSTRIES

I-ADARP

SOLEDAD ENRICHMENT ACTION

I-ADARP

UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORKTOTAL

COUNTYWIDE HEALTH SERVICES ALCOHOL & DRUG PROGRAM -7-7TOTAL 8 1

~

COUNTYWIDESOLEDAD ENRICHMENT ACTION

LOS ANGELES COMMISSION ON ASSAULTS AGAINST WOMEN

89

17

145

-7

-5

-12TOTAL

COUNTYWIDEALETHOS FOUNDATION 4

422

.2

-2TOTAL

*Juveni/e Hall and Camp Programs

ATTACHMENTC

LA. COUNTY PROBATION DEPART8ENT .AlLY M3

JJCPA COMMUNITY.BASED AGENCIESYOUTH ENROLLED JULY 2002 . 2003

I GANG INTERVENTION

I ART SHARE - BEWSOUTH GATE

ART SHARE - HIGHLAND PARK/EAST IA

PROJECT LEADS

GENDER SPECIFIC

SPIRITT FAMILY SERVICES

INTENSIVE TRANSITIONHOMEBOY INDUSTRIES

1070100

«>6060

1128 90

253 396GANG INTERVENTION

CENTRAl RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT

ASIAN AMERICAN DRUG ABUSE PROJECT

STOP THE VIOLENCE INCREASE THE PEACE

GENDER SPECIFIC

PROJECT PEACEMAKERS

INTENSIVE TRANSmON

I-ADARP

103102141

60eo602

91 90

352 ~

GANG INTERVENTION

PROJECT HEAVY WESTCOMMUNITIES IN SCHOOlS - HOLLYWOOD

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOlS - SAN FERNANDO VALlEY

GENDER SPECIFICNEW DIRECTIONS FOR YOUTH

INTENSIVE TRANSITIONSOLEDAD ENRICHMENT ACTION

3041126

273e603

13 ~

179 396

GANG INTERVENTION

RICHSTONE FAMILY CENTERHELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING - BELlFLOWER/WHITTIER

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING - NORTH LONG BEACH

GENDER SPECIFIC

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING

I INTENSIVE TRANSITION

I-ADARP

1369588

6060eo4

129 90

308 3~! GANG INTERVENTION---i UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORKII COMMUNITY SELF DETERMINATION INSTITUTE - SAN GABRIEL, COMMUNITY SELF DETERMINATION INSTITUTE - SANTA CLARITA

GENDER SPECIFICSPIRIT AWAKENING FOUNDATION

INTENSIVE TRANSITION

UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK

1078741

6060«>5

195 90

229 396GENDER SPECIFIC *

LOS ANGELES COMMISSION ON ASSAULTS AGAINST WOMEN

SOLEDAD ENRICHMENT ACTION

INSIDE OUT WRITING*

ALETHOSFOUNDATION

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

HEALTH SERVICES ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAM

2,901552

1,500650

COUNTYWIDE

1.725 300

525 300-500

* Juvenile Hall and Camp Programs

ATTACHMENTD