Invitation for Applications from Juvenile Justice Agencies to Participate in the Risk/Needs Assessment and Mental Health Screening in Juvenile Justice Demonstration Project
Funded Jointly by the MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change Initiative and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
The National Youth Screening & Assessment Project (NYSAP) invites applications from state-level juvenile justice probation agencies to participate in the Mental Health Screening and Risk/Needs Assessment in Juvenile Justice Demonstration Project. The aim of the Demonstration Project is to improve probation agencies’ decision-making about youth processing in line with state-of-the art Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) principles, thereby resulting in improved allocation of resources, reduced costs, and reduced likelihood of further delinquency.
NYSAP will collaborate with two state agencies to evaluate an empirically informed approach to implementing a case planning approach. This approach is based on RNR principles and uses a model that has been tested in previous research. We are studying whether effective implementation of the case planning approach decreases out-of-home placement and maximum levels of supervision and increases appropriate services to youth at all levels of risk of reoffending, without jeopardizing public safety. Participating sites will receive technical assistance for up to 18 months that will involve, among other activities, training on a well-validated mental health screening tool (the MAYSI-2) and an empirically validated tool to assess risk for future delinquency. Over the course of up to two years, an investment of up to $50,000 will be made in each state to provide resources related to implementing the MAYSI-2 and the evidence-based risk/needs assessment tool selected by the agency with guidance from NYSAP.
We invite interested agencies to read the full announcement for additional details regarding the Demonstration Project, eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and the application process. Applications are due by February 27, 2012. For more information, please contact Dr. Laura Guy, the Principal Investigator, at laura.guy@umassmed.edu.
Click here for:
Information Guide & Request for Application Form
Application Form (Word Document)
The National Youth Screening & Assessment Project (NYSAP) is a technical assistance and research center dedicated to improving juvenile justice and mental health services. NYSAP is located at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, with support by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Since 2000, NYSAP has provided assistance to juvenile justice programs nationwide in their implementation of mental health screening and assessment, especially with the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument – Second Version (MAYSI-2).
Beginning in 2006, NYSAP’s purposes and objectives were redesigned in relation to a new initiative of the MacArthur Foundation, called “Models for Change: Systems Reform in Juvenile Justice.” NYSAP now has four primary purposes:
- Nationwide assistance in implementing the MAYSI-2 for mental health screening in juvenile justice programs
- Technical assistance to juvenile justice programs on mental health, risk, and needs screening and assessment practices, for targeted states participating in the MacArthur Foundation’s “Models for Change” Initiative.
- Nationwide assistance for states reforming their laws, practices and forensic evaluations regarding juveniles’ competence to stand trial
- Research to improve mental health, risk and needs screening and assessment in juvenile justice settings
Contact us to inquire about assistance from NYSAP on MAYSI-2, MAYSIWARE, and other youth mental health, risk and needs screening and assessment questions in juvenile justice programs.
NYSAP Personnel and Consultants
Thomas Grisso, Ph.D. is Director of NYSAP with Co-Directors Gina Vincent, Ph.D. and Valerie Williams, M.A., M.S.
Kimberly Larson, J.D., Ph.D. and Albert Grudzinskas, J.D., manage law-related activities of NYSAP.
Laura Guy, Ph. D. is a consultant for NYSAP in areas related to risk assessment.
Coordinators and managers of various activities in NYSAP include: Rebecca Nelson, M.A., Rachael Perrault, M.A., and Amy Thornton, B.S.
Primary consultants to NYSAP include Joseph Cocozza, Ph.D. (Director, National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice) and Edward Loughran (Director, Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators).
