South Carolina - LEAP Project

Case Study

 
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Expanding Community-Based Alternatives for Youth in South Carolina

With funding from the Governor’s Office through the GEER Fund, South Carolina’s Department of Juvenile Justice launched the “Leveraging Effective Alternatives to Placement” (LEAP) project to implement eight evidence-based programs across four regions. EBA was selected to lead this multi-year effort to reduce incarceration and improve outcomes for justice-involved youth.

Problem

Overreliance on Incarceration for High-Risk Youth

South Carolina historically faced limited access to effective community-based alternatives for justice-involved youth. Many young people at high risk of reoffending were placed in secure facilities, separating them from their families, disrupting education, and compounding long-term challenges. Comprehensive local service options were underdeveloped and inconsistently available across regions.

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Solution

Statewide LEAP Initiative & EBA Implementation Leadership

Launched in 2021 with GEER funding, the “Leveraging Effective Alternatives to Placement” (LEAP) project aims to reduce incarceration and increase community-based interventions:

  • Eight research-supported programs are being implemented across four key regions of the state
  • Convened a cross-agency Client EEBA was competitively selected by SC DJJ to lead the rollout, providing oversight, coordination, and technical assistance
  • The initiative partners with local providers and national experts to ensure fidelity and sustainability
  • Programming focuses on keeping youth at home, in school, and out of trouble

EBA’s leadership, under Senior Director Nicole Janer, ensures aligned service delivery and systemic collaboration.

Outcome

Expanded Access, Localized Support, and Youth Stability

The LEAP initiative is transforming South Carolina’s juvenile justice landscape by prioritizing effective, community-based care:

  • Youth now have increased access to high-quality, localized programs that address root causes of system involvement
  • Families are better supported through interventions that keep children in the home and engaged in education
  • By replacing incarceration with treatment, the state aims to improve long-term outcomes and public safety

This multi-year effort reflects a significant step toward sustainable juvenile justice reform in South Carolina.

115 +
Years of combined experience
20 +
Evidence-based models supported
30 +
States and counties served

Solutions EBA Provided

Needs Assessment & Program Alignment

Identify ideal evidence-based programs and determine when and where they are most needed across the District to meet community needs effectively.

Implementation & Provider Support

Provide direct support to community-based agencies to help them successfully adopt and deliver evidence-based practices, including coaching and guidance throughout implementation.

Workforce & Provider Oversight

Monitor compliance with the EBP Hiring Manual and assist agencies in creating policies that support effective staff recruitment, training, and long-term retention.

Training & Capacity Coordination

Identify certified training partners and coordinate session schedules to ensure staff receive timely, relevant training while maintaining adequate service coverage.

Utilization & Referral Management

Manage referral processes to ensure appropriate, timely access to services, aligning client needs with the most suitable evidence-based programs.

Quality, Evaluation & Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with partners to track fidelity and outcomes, use dashboards and monitoring tools to evaluate performance, and keep stakeholders informed to guide ongoing improvements and sustain success.

Texas

EBA oversees Texas's MST initiative, providing intensive home-based services to address mental health needs of high-risk youth.

Read Case Study

Additional South Carolina - LEAP Information

Models currently in use in the LEAP Program

Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

A family-focused intervention for at-risk and justice-involved youth ages 10–18, delivered in homes or outpatient settings.

Eligibility: Youth with behavioral issues, substance use, or limited resources.

Exclusions: Youth who are actively suicidal, homicidal, psychotic (unmedicated), in temporary care, or not returning home within 30 days.

Duration: 3–5 months of structured family sessions.

Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

An intensive, family- and community-based intervention for youth ages 12–17 with serious antisocial behavior, delivered in home or outpatient settings; telehealth may be used in exceptional cases.

Eligibility: Youth with behavioral issues, substance use, limited resources, and a PDRA score of 2 or higher.

Exclusions: Youth who are actively suicidal, homicidal, unmedicated and psychotic, in temporary care, not returning home within 30 days, or have a PDRA below 2.

Duration: 3–4 sessions per week over 2–5 months, averaging 60 hours of therapy.

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News articles:

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S.L. Frazier

Project Director, SC LEAP Program
sfrazier@ebanetwork.com

Lamar Suber

Project Manager, SC LEAP Program
lsuber@ebanetwork.com

Terri Barnes

Project Director, Georgia Project
tbarnes@ebanetwork.com

Natalie May

Project Manager, Georgia Project
nmay@ebanetwork.com

Click here to see our full team
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