Utah

2017 YIC Utah (State Level)

Contacts:

Mike Butkovich, Program Director, Office of Community Programs Division of Juvenile Justice Services

Dorie Farah, Program Director, Office of Correctional Facilities Division of Juvenile Justice Services  *Note: Dorie retired and is no longer involved in the project.

Kyle Goudie, Assistant Program Director, Genesis Programs, Adult Living Transition and Achievement Program Division of Juvenile Justice Services

Steven Kaelin, Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Jill McKinlay, Assistant Program Director, Southwest Utah Youth Center Division of Juvenile Justice Services

Samuel Sherrow, Assistant Program Director, Slate Canyon Youth Center Division of Juvenile Justice Services

Debbie Whitlock, Deputy Director Division of Juvenile Justice Services *Note: Debbie is no longer involved in the project.

Ruth Wilson, Director, System of Care, Department of Human Services

Capstone Description:

To improve evidence-based substance use treatment delivery for youth transitioning from Secure Care to the community and concurrently strengthen staff capacity by:

1. Identifying risk and protective factors to address youth’s needs, particularly for youth with substance use disorders

2. Enhancing current reentry services, including educational and vocational trainings

3. Building stronger family and community engagement strategies, including partners in education and mental health services

4. Developing staff competencies through effective and efficient training

Capstone Update (2019):

Substance Use: Substance use treatment in both rural and urban areas will be served by the Local Mental Health Authorities. The team developed a facility schedule designed to serve moderate-risk youth at high risk of substance use through DBT treatment, and also implemented a behavioral management tracking system to monitor treatment dosage. Additionally, high-risk youth are now able to participate in evidence-based substance abuse programming. Reentry, Education, and Vocation/Community Partnerships: The team applied and received the OJJDP Second Chance Act Grant, which are now used to support youth to receive career-related certifications, equipments, classes, and stipend, as well as mentoring and coaching opportunities once youth return to their communities. A new, streamlined process is created to transfer school records, reduce number of tests, and standardize education reports. Furthermore, the Utah State Board of education collaborated with Juvenile Justice Services to delineate education responsibilities within facilities, which has now been added as an addendum in the case management planning manual. Family/Youth Engagement: Juvenile Justice Services have changed policy and staffing patterns to focus on engaging families. Now, the first family-team meeting occurs within 72 hours after a custody order, and case managers are spending more time on family coaching and supporting youth's reentry process. In addition, the team has created Resident Councils within their facility to support youth. Staff Development: All counseling staff are trained in DBT and behavioral management, and the team has improved staff communication to share information more easily and readily.