The Iowa Delinquency Assessment Tool By Candice Bennett, Chief Juvenile Court Officer Sixth Judicial District

Goal of the Iowa Juvenile Court Juvenile Court Services in Iowa is actively working to ensure that all youth who are referred to Juvenile Court Services receive the most effective intervention possible, given the individualized risks and needs of any particular youth.

Recent Years an intensive effort to implement programs recommended by the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Model Program Guide Best Practice programs Programs that work to reduce delinquent behavior Improve client functioning

Iowa Delinquency Assessment Tool or IDA State-Wide Evidence-based Risk and Needs assessment tool

History of IDA Based on the Washington Risk/Needs Assessment tool New York Illinois Florida Utah North Dakota California

Use of The IDA Describe in detail the types of youth we are serving by systemically collecting social information Assess the youth’s level of risk Direct the youth to appropriate services Evaluate the effectiveness of the services our youth are receiving Allows JCS & Providers to use a common language in talking about youth and their families

What is the Risk Principle? It states: Target those offenders with a higher probability of recidivism. Provide most intensive treatment to higher risk offenders. Intensive treatment for lower risk offenders can increase recidivism.

Aggression Replacement Therapy Pilot program for girls teaches: Self-efficacy Skills needed to keep girls from “sticking” to a criminal lifestyle

IDA-Form Types Short Form Used to determine level of involvement with the Juvenile Court System Low Risk Moderate Risk High Risk Provides continuity across all of Iowa

IDA- Form Types Long Form Twelve Domains Mapping Previous Charges, Demographics, School, Use of Free Time, Employment, Relationships, Family, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Attitudes/Behaviors, Aggression, and Skills Mapping Focused Intervention

Revising the IDA Authors of the tool encourage continual refinement and improvement of the assessment tool There will be changes to the tool as research becomes available