To encourage the spread of evidence-based programs in the community, Georgia created a voluntary incentive grant program, which has helped counties make significant progress in reducing their use of out-of-home placements and establishing community alternatives.
Since first awarding grants to participating counties in 2013, the Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant Program has directed more than $30 million to support evidence-based programs throughout the state. Evidence-Based Associates has been a key partner in the initiative from the beginning, collaborating with the office of Governor Nathan Deal, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC).
Below are the models currently in use in the Juvenile Justice Reform project in the state of Georgia.
Description
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is a family focused intervention for at-risk and juvenile justice involved youth.
Age & Delivery
- 10-18 years old
- Typically conducted in a(n): Adoptive Home, Birth Family Home, Foster Home, and Outpatient Clinic.
Inclusionary Criteria
Child/Youth and their families whose range of problems include but are not limited to:
- acting out
- conduct disorder
- alcohol and/or substance abuse
- limited access to resources
- a range of diagnose
Exclusionary Criteria
Child/Youth who is
- actively suicidal
- actively homicidal
- actively psychotic without medication stabilization
Youth in respite or emergency care
Youth who will not be returning home within 30 days
Youth not living with permanent/long-term caregiver
Treatment Duration/Rate
Families participate in a series of sessions over a 3-5 month treatment period.
Description
MultisystemicTherapy (MST) is an intensive family- and community-based treatment that addresses the multiple determinants of serious antisocial behavior in juvenile offenders.
Age & Delivery
- 12-17 years old
- Typically conducted in a(n): Adoptive Home, Birth Family Home, Foster Home, and Outpatient Clinic. Telehealth sessions could be an option for extreme circumstances.
Inclusionary Criteria
Child/Youth and their families whose range of problems include but are not limited to:
- acting out
- conduct disorder
- alcohol and/or substance abuse
- limited access to community resources
- a range of diagnose
- Pre- Dispositional Risk Assessment (PDRA) 2 or higher
Exclusionary Criteria
Child/Youth who is
- actively suicidal
- actively homicidal
- actively psychotic without medication stabilization
- Pre- Dispositional Risk Assessment (PDRA) below a 2
- Youth in respite or emergency care
- Youth who will not be returning home within 30 days
- Youth not living with permanent/long-term caregiver
Treatment Duration/Method
Families participate in 3 to 4 sessions per week over a 2 to 5 months treatment period
Average hours of therapy is 60
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Needs Assessment: Identify ideal evidence-based programs when and where they are needed in the District
Implementation Support: Provider support to community-based provider agencies, to ensure they are successful in the shift to evidence-based programming
Service Provider Oversight: Monitor providers adherence to the EBP Hiring Manual; work to ensure policies and procedures are in place to support staff recruitment and retention
Training Coordination: Identify appropriate training organizations for trainings and support, including matching scheduling to ensure adequate available staff
Managing Utilization: Ensuring the necessary and appropriate referrals are available for the services
Quality Assurance and Fidelity Monitoring: Collaborate with consultants to collect and analyze adherence to the models
Stakeholder Management: Apprise Stakeholders of the project’s outcomes and continuous planning to ensure the needs of the community are being met, while sustaining the investment in evidence based services
Monitoring and Evaluation: Developing systems (i.e. dashboards and fidelity monitoring tools) that allow us to review, provide oversight of data and provide continuous quality improvement on the implementation of evidence based practices.
Reductions in Recidivism
EBA County Performance
EBA Statewide Performance
Testimonials regarding EBA's work in the state of Georgia
“The staff at EBA have been exceptional. We have been able to reduce detainments and ... provide much needed intensive services to families in crisis. EBA has been a great partner.”
Honorable John Sumner, Presiding Judge, Cherokee County, GA (2015–2016 President Georgia Council of Juvenile Court Judges)
"The services provided by EBA has greatly improved Grace Harbour's service delivery as a provider of evidence based services and has directly contributed to greater service outcomes, including increased program family retention rates, decreased criminal charges, and decreased recidivism rates for the youth and families served. EBA has and continues to play a vital role in the programmatic success of our MST and FFT teams at Grace Harbour."
Kevin Freeman, PhD, LPC, NCC, MAC, CPCS
President & CEO
Grace Harbour, Inc
News Items Related to Our Efforts in Georgia
Family Focused: Opposite of 'Scared Straight,' Intervention Helps Youth Connect and Feel Understood - Youth Today - November 2016
Terri Barnes
Project Director, Georgia Project
tbarnes@ebanetwork.com
Barnes is the project director for our Georgia Project Team and is responsible for developing and overseeing all aspects of the project. Barnes' past experiences as a family intervention therapist, clinical director and program director of a provider organization have all proven to be beneficial in her role with Evidence-Based Associates. She will serve as the central point of contact for the Georgia Project with respect to all local stakeholders, model training programs and EBA. Barnes received her master's degree in social work from Clark University in Atlanta, GA.