RE-ENTRY SERVICES PROGRAM WORK GROUP

The Re-entry Services Program provides intensive/comprehensive case management services for juvenile offenders transitioning to their home communities from out of home placement facilities.

History

The program began in June of 2003 with a grant from the MN Department of Public Safety, with match funds provided by the Clay County Joint Powers Collaborative.

Individuals representing the Clay County Joint Powers Collaborative; Clay County Court Services/Department of Corrections; Clay County Detention; Clay County Restorative Justice program; Clay County Truancy Diversion Program; Rural MN CEP; Clay County Wraparound Coordinator; Law Enforcement; Migrant Health; Clay County Social Services and other community partners came together to write the grant proposal, develop the program and hire the Transitional Coordinators. Prior to this program, the only transitional services provided for correctional youth were for youth that had been in the local detention facility’s long term treatment program. There were no services for youth returning home from other facilities.

Until May 9, 2005, the two Transitional Coordinators were staff of the Collaborative. Due to changes in the structure of the Collaborative, staff is now employed by Clay County Court Services.

Goals

The goal of the Re-entry Services Program is to improve public safety by preparing juvenile offenders for successful reentry to communities. The goal is achieved by assisting youthful offenders in becoming productive, responsible, and law-abiding citizens through strategic and comprehensive reentry plans that address the following Reentry Components;

1. obtaining and retaining long term employment, if appropriate;
2. maintaining a stable residence by providing intensive services to high risk juvenile offenders leaving out of home placements, with an emphasis on seamless and comprehensive treatment, intensive case management and the involvement of local communities;
3. successfully addressing substance abuse issues;
4. successfully addressing physical health and mental health issues;
5. establishing a meaningful and supportive role in the community.

Program Evaluation

As of July 1, 2006 the Re-entry Services Program has served 95 Clay County juvenile offenders, between the ages of 14-19, returning home from an out of home placement of 21 days, or longer.

Ten percent of the grant funding is dedicated for evaluation of the Project. NDSU’s Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science Department staff are completing a comprehensive, ongoing evaluation of the Program. The three measurable outcome goals of the Project are:

1. A 75% compliance rate of treatment and transitional case plan tasks to help assure a positive impact on all five reentry components. As of March 30, 2005, the Project had a 74% compliance rate. The majority of the tasks assigned are in the areas of employment, education, personality/behavior, and substance abuse.
2. A 20% reduction of the risk/need levels to help assure a positive impact on all five reentry components. Overall risk/need scores declined by 26% from the intake assessment to six month assessment.
3. A 20% increase in strengths identified to help assure a positive impact on all 5 re-entry components. Overall scores improved by 570% from the intake assessment to the 6 month assessment

In addition, the evaluators are also tracking related data (i.e., recidivism rates, employment rates, housing, school attendance, etc.) and collecting survey data from offenders, parents, service providers, etc.

Funding

$205,289.25 in grant funding has been awarded by the MN Department of Public Safety for Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007. (June 1, 2005- May 31, 2007) The Collaborative has dedicated the $68,429.75 in match funds required for this time period.

Program Partners

The following community and Collaborative partners are represented on the program’s advisory group:

• Barnesville Police Department
• Clay County Attorney’s office
• Clay County Commissioners
• Clay County Sheriff’s Department
• Clay County Social Services
• Clay County Victim Advocates Program
• Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton ISD #2164
• Dilworth Police Department
• Glyndon Police Department
• Hawley ISD #150
• Migrant Health Services
• Moorhead ISD #152
• Moorhead Police Department
• Red River Area Learning Center
• Rural MN CEP
• West Central Regional Juvenile Center
• Lakeland Mental Health
• Youth Educational Services
• Truancy Intervention Program

2009/10 Work Group Members

Links

• Work Group minutes and program reports (quarterly & annual)
• Final four-year report
• Final four-year report - Executive Summary
• Research articles on the program: 
  • "The Impact of Reentry Services on Juvenile Offenders' Recidivism" by Jeff Bouffard and Kathleen Bergseth in Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 6:3 (July 2008).
  • "Minnesota County Mentors Juveniles and Provides Reentry Services" by Jeffrey Bouffard, Kathleen Bergseth, and Shelly Ford in Corrections Today, December 2009.