Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)
Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)
In August of 2014, Monroe County became the 19th Indiana county to participate in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI).
JDAI is a national juvenile justice improvement initiative developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The JDAI has been replicated across the country, proving to be successful in minimizing detention over-crowding, reducing the need to build more expensive facilities, improving efficiencies in the juvenile justice system operations, and producing better outcomes for youth and their families. Most importantly, JDAI has achieved successful outcomes while protecting community safety.
Indiana is one of over 200 JDAI sites in 39 states and the District of Columbia to implement the eight (8) core strategies of JDAI to enhance and improve their juvenile justice systems. The JDAI process acknowledges the importance of having the family and communities of youth most affected by the juvenile justice system working in partnership with the juvenile justice system staff and community based organizations throughout the system improvement process. This engagement typically includes parents and other family members, community leaders, victims and youth. Additional information on the JDAI model and the Annie E. Casey Foundation can be found at https://www.aecf.org/work/juvenile-justice/jdai//
The JDAI process involves the implementation of its “Eight Core Strategies.”
Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) Eight Core Strategies
JDAI sites pursue eight (8) interrelated core strategies to accomplish objectives.
- Collaboration between juvenile justice agencies, other governmental entities, and community organizations.
- Use of accurate data to diagnose the system's problems and to assess the impact of programs and reforms.
- Objective admissions decisions including use of validated risk assessment instruments.
- New or enhanced alternatives to secure detention to increase the options available for arrested youth.
- Expedited case processing through the system.
- “Special case” processing (probation violations, warrants, youth awaiting placement) to minimize detention time.
- Reducing racial, ethnic and gender disparities to eliminate bias and ensure a level playing field for all youth.
- Improving conditions of confinement.
The Monroe County Community System Assessment Report contains recommendations that include a JDAI Steering Committee to be chaired by Judge Galvin in addition to various work groups to develop recommendations related to JDAI’s eight core strategies.
Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) Brochure 2024
Monroe County JDAI Project Committees: (all committees meet quarterly)
- Steering Committee – Discusses progress of the entire JDAI project and the work of all JDAI committees.
- Detention Alternatives and Admissions – Committee was formerly Purpose of Detention and Alternatives to Detention Workgroup. The Alternatives and Admissions Committee monitors the use of the Detention Risk Assessment Instrument and Alternatives to Detention.
- Data Workgroup – Monitors statistics and provides information to the committees in order to make data-driven decisions.
- Race, Ethnicity, and Inclusion (REI) – Work is completed to advance equal opportunities for all and to improve outcomes for children, families, and the community. As part of REI, a REI data workgroup and a community engagement workgroup were formed. The REI data workgroup will work to identify areas of disproportionality while the REI community engagement workgroup will assist in identifying community values through community collaboration.
-
2023 JDAI Alternative Program Highlights:
- REI Community Engagement Book Club – Two (2) staff and community members meet regularly to discuss books on race and equity.
- Alliances to Disseminate Addiction Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) – The local JDAI initiative joined a partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine and Centerstone to develop and study the efficacy of substance abuse education through local mental health facilities.
- Teen Intervene - Partnered with Centerstone Community Mental Health Center to provide a no-cost substance-use education program to system-referred youth.
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) - Partnered with Monroe County School Community School Corporation (MCCSC) to bring TBRI to Lakeview Elementary School.
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) – Provided training to leadership and staff regarding the impact of trauma on brain development and behavior.
- Race, Equity, and Inclusion (REI) Assessment of Juvenile Probation Conditions – Staff participated in the creation new language for probation conditions while viewing each condition through an REI lens for impact on various populations served. Work continues in 2023. The newly created conditions of supervision are set to go ‘live’ in January 2024.
- Truancy Termination Partnership Program – Provided support to the Youth Services Bureau for incentives for youth and families who demonstrate progress in the program.
- Youth Engagement with Laura Furr –
- Efforts to create a pilot youth and family engagement workgroup moved forward. This workgroup is designed to allow for authentic engagement throughout youth justice reform efforts.
- City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Children and Youth and Commission on the Status of Black Males – Provided support for one day event for middle and high school aged youth to focus on strengths and successes of Black and Latino local and national communities to inspire, support, and motivate youth.
- Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit – Provided financial support to include accessibility services for the summit that includes closed captioning, American Sign Language interpretation, and other supportive options.
- The Warehouse – Provided final support to ensure youth requiring supervision while participating in activities at The Warehouse had access to both supervision and mentorship.
- Back to School Event – Partnered with local agency to support a back-to school event for local youth and families.
