Operational Issues for Youth Correctional Agencies: Handling Budgets Cuts, Staff and Services

1. Operational Issues for Youth Correctional Agencies: Handling Budgets Cuts, Staff and Services Jane E. Tewksbury, Esq., Commissioner Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators August 4, 2011

2. Brief Professional Background Commissioner Tewksbury was appointed in 2005 as the head of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS), an Executive Branch agency which provides detention, corrections and parole services for youth in the state’s juvenile justice system. The Commissioner’s progressive reform agenda includes detention reform using the JDAI framework of the Annie E. Casey foundation; the improvement of the quality and efficacy of the program services youth receive while in DYS facilities using DBT for its clinical modality and the state’s public school requirements for its educational model; and “wrap-around” re-entry services for youth released to the community under DYS supervision. Commissioner Tewksbury is committed to working from within the juvenile justice system to ensure that the system’s focus is on accountability and positive youth development as a means to improve outcomes for juvenile offender and thereby, protect long term public safety – change which will last beyond her tenure.

3. Mission The Department of Youth Services is the juvenile justice agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our mission is to protect the public and prevent crime by promoting positive change in the lives of youth committed to our custody, and by partnering with communities, families, government and provider agencies toward this end. We accomplish this mission through interventions that build knowledge, develop skills and change the behavior of the youth in our care

4. Organization

5. Programs and Services at the Department of Youth Services (DYS) DYS operates 83 programs including: 57 facilities, ranging from staff secure group homes to highly secure locked units, and  29 programs to supervise youth who live in the community (residing with a parent, guardian, foster parent or residing in an independent living program). The following includes a high level overview of DYS programs and services Client Services ranging from pretrial detention to assessment to residential treatment and community supervision services.  Clinical/Health/Education/Substance Abuse Services provided by contracted licensed professionals in residential programs in accordance with national and state standards. Victim Services to notify victims who request notice of client movement or release from custody. Administrative services including fiscal, purchase of services, and capital planning and maintenance, IT, and HR. Legal services including policy development, training, investigations, legislative tracking, litigation and regulations. OPERATIONS/PROGRAM SERVICES • DYS operates 100 programs including: • 64 facilities, ranging from staff secure group homes to highly secure locked units, and  • 36 programs to service youth who live in the community (residing with a parent, guardian, foster parent or residing in an independent living program). • The following includes a high level overview of DYS programs and services: • Client Services - The Client Services unit oversees the delivery of a host of clinical and support services. • Clinical Services - Upon commitment to DYS (within the first 30 to 45 days), youth receive a comprehensive assessment. • Health Services - The Department of Youth Services provides health services to all clients who are in out-of-home placements. • Victim Services - The Victim Services Unit provides information, support and notification to victims of juvenile crime whose offenders are in the custody of the Department of Youth Services. • Community Services - The Community Reentry Centers are located in cities and towns with the highest concentrations of at risk youth. • Substance Abuse - Substance abuse prevention and intervention services offered by the Department of Youth Services to their clients.  • Juvenile Justice Legal Issues - The Department of Youth Services works to protect the public and prevent crime by promoting positive change in the lives of youth committed to our custody, and by partnering with communities, families, government and provider agencies toward this end. • Policies - The DYS Policies and Procedures. • Education  - The DYS Education, Job Training and Employment Services Unit provides a comprehensive and integrated range of services based on the needs, experiences and competencies of our youth. This information is provided by the Department of Youth Services.

6. DYS Continuum of Care New Charge Release Discharge at Age 18 or 21 Court New Charge Bail Mittimus Other Mittimus Commitment Mittimus Supervision and Outcomes Regional Transition Meetings Violation of GCL: Revocation 1 2 7 3 5.2 6.5 7.5 4 Assessment Staffing Detention Community 4-3-2-1 Revocation Intake Extension of Commitment 6 Residential 8-7-6-5 Regional Review Meeting Grant of Conditional Liberty (GCL) 5.1 Service Plan 5.3 Time, Security Level Assigned Classification RRT

7. Handling Budgets 1. Components • Set your agenda What is the agency going to look like under your leadership? Corrections? Rehabilitation? Both? Your vision? The Governor’s vision? • Where will Administration/Legislature be willing to make investments? The “education governor” for example • Are current priorities at risk of being “defunded”? • Involve staff at all levels in your reform efforts – the “B-team” Cautionary Tale

8. Massachusetts Department of Youth ServicesVision for Reform CONTINUUM OF CARE: Positive Youth Development • Detention • Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) • Assessment and Treatment • Licensed clinical social workers • Individual service plans • Licensed certified teachers • Contracted medical and dental services • Workforce Development Initiative • Performance-based contracting with measureable outcomes • Aftercare • Wrap-around services re-entry model of case management • Education/vocational education/job readiness pathway

9. Massachusetts Department of Youth ServicesVision for Reform, cont’d. • 2. Do what makes a difference • Compare costs of investment in services for youth vs. cost to taxpayer of career criminal Focus on public safety outcomes: e.g. declining recidivism rates Target investments to achieve desired outcomes: e.g. educational investment • Census driven budgeting: the dilemma of counting heads and beds. • Analyze your failures and identify shortfalls and then quantify • Be strategic about budget cuts

10. Massachusetts Department of Youth ServicesVision for Reform, cont’d. • 3. Federal Funds and Foundation Grants - Catalyst for sustainable change • 4. Administration and Legislative Relationships

11. Handling Personnel Issues • Set the tone for your workforce and lead by example. • Be clear as to what conduct will or will not be tolerated. The dilemma of zero tolerance • What behaviors will be rewarded? • Set high expectations and performance will follow – for clients and staff • ALWAYS BE CONSISTENT AND FAIR