Redeploy Illinois 2011 Annual Report - Site Summaries
The pages that follow provide descriptions of the Redeploy Illinois program at each of the eight sites. While all sites offer needed services to youth through the program, each site has a unique way of doing so. Detailed in these site summaries is information about the number of youth served, the process for intake, determination of eligibility, the structure of the program, and the range of services provided.
Second Judicial Circuit
The number of youth served annually by Second Judicial Circuit Redeploy varies, but has been between 80 and 100 youth in previous years. The total number of youth served since the program began in 2005 is 616. These youth have an average length of stay, in the Redeploy Program of six months.
The Second Judicial Circuit Redeploy exists as a partnership between court, probation, and community service providers. A local consortium of stakeholders oversees the Second Circuit Redeploy program. The Second Circuit Juvenile Justice Council (JJC) and each of the participating county's juvenile justice councils act as liaisons between the program and county stakeholders such as state's attorneys, judges, public defenders, social service agencies, detention, educators, law enforcement, community members, and the media. The goal for all of them is to keep youth from being committed to Department of Juvenile Justice facilities. Each stakeholder, including the youth, has an impact on the decision to incarcerate. While the Jefferson County Board serves as the fiscal agent for the program, One Hope United is the lead agency. One Hope United provides Multi-Systemic Therapy whereby therapists provide therapy in the home of the client. Franklin County Probation trains probation officers and program managers in cognitive group facilitation that target specific offenses such as alcohol and drugs, truancy, curfew and misdemeanors. These cognitive groups also include groups specifically for high- risk offenders and for offenders in need of cognitive life skills. The 2nd Circuit Juvenile Assessment Center provides psychiatric, psychological, mental health, and substance abuse evaluations.
Youth are referred to the Redeploy program by the court or by probation. A Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) is completed for each youth to identify his/her risk level and to determine what services would be appropriate in order to meet the youth's needs. The youth must have a risk level of medium or high and be at least 13 years of age to be eligible for services. Once eligibility is determined and the YASI completed, the probation officer refers the youth to the appropriate Redeploy service; this referral is made directly to the service provider.
The services available through Second Circuit Redeploy include psychological and psychiatric evaluations; board and care at the Assessment Center while awaiting the completion of the evaluations; Multi-Systemic Therapy; offense specific cognitive education/therapy classes; GED Testing; and WAIT (Washington Aggression Interruption Training). Youth are discharged as "successful" or "unsuccessful" or "neutral" (neither successful nor unsuccessful). A youth can be discharged unsuccessfully due to a new offense, violation of probation, or failure to meet program requirements. A youth may be discharged as neutral if he/she is currently actively participating in services but is ordered to inpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Fourth Judicial Circuit
In 2011, the Fourth Judicial Circuit accepted 23 new youth for the Redeploy Illinois program. This brought the Fourth Judicial Circuit's total number of youth served, since the program's inception in 2009, to 82.
The Fourth Judicial Circuit Redeploy program is a partnership among court, probation, and community service providers. Fourth Judicial Circuit Redeploy includes all of the probation departments in the Fourth Circuit. This includes the following counties: Christian, Clay, Clinton, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Marion, Montgomery, and Shelby Counties. Within the Fourth Judicial Circuit the Redeploy program has a local consortium of stakeholders with memberships consisting of State's Attorneys, public defenders/guardians ad litem, chief probation officers, juvenile probation officers, juvenile judges, associate judges, educators, law enforcement, service agencies, Department of Children and Family Services caseworkers, and staff of the Department of Human Services.
When a youth is committed to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, the probation officer conducts a thorough assessment to help determine if youth are appropriate for the Redeploy Illinois program. This happens following adjudication and/or when a plea agreement has been reached. The officer considers the youth's police records, probation records, YASI score, social history, and/or meetings with family members or significant others. More extensive evaluations are provided as deemed necessary including mental health, substance abuse and psychological evaluations. Each youth receives an evaluation specified by his/her individual screenings and assessments. The court makes the final decision regarding a youth's enrollment in the Redeploy Illinois program, following a recommendation by the probation department, state's attorney and/or public defender.
The probation department takes the lead role as juvenile officers will provide more intensive supervision and monitoring of Redeploy youth. The probation officer refers and arranges services for the youth, and maintains contact with service providers, to review case progress and services planning. The juvenile officers staff the case with the Chief Managing Officer. As deemed necessary, the juvenile officer utilizes electronic monitoring, GPS monitoring, public service, or additional community based sanctions. Drug testing is conducted more frequently and randomly than in a usual probation case.
Lee County
In 2011, Lee County served eight youth, through the Redeploy Program, with a total of 39 youth served since the inception of the program, in 2005. Redeploy has reduced IDJJ commitments from 25 in 2005, to 1 in 2011.
The Lee County Probation Department acts as the lead agency in the Redeploy Illinois Program and assumes responsibility for fiscal oversight of the program and the allocation of resources through contractual agreements with the local mental health agency and with the program manager. Partners in the Redeploy initiative are the Juvenile Court Judge, Assistant State's Attorney, Public Defender, providers, and the probation department. The Lee County Juvenile Justice Council (JJC) is used as the forum to meet with Juvenile justice stakeholders to determine what improvements can be made with the program. The membership of the Council consists of representatives from the court, schools, police, faith- based, service providers and other community entities, all of whom actively participate in Council meetings and committees. The meetings are held bi-monthly and chaired by the juvenile judge. Lee County Redeploy provides the following services: intensive family interventions utilizing the "Parenting with Love & Limits" curriculum; an individualized plan for each high risk youth; interventions to address criminal attitudes, values and beliefs; utilization of the National Institute of Corrections' "Thinking for a Change" curriculum; case management services (provided by the Probation Officer); employment assistance; and structured free time activities.
Eligibility is determined when a minor is referred to Lee County Probation. At this point, the minor receives a risk assessment utilizing the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI). If mental health or substance abuse issues are identified through the assessment process additional assessments are requested and provided by the local mental health agency. Those individuals with an overall risk score in the medium to high range are targeted for staffing into the Redeploy Program. The purpose of the staffing is to further identify minors with multiple risk factors (those who scored medium to high in the YASI domains of family, attitudes, violence and substance abuse). These youth are identified as being at high risk for DJJ placement unless intensive services are provided. During the staffing, the youth's risk and protective factors are shared and discussed to determine appropriate placement into the program.
Lee County Redeploy frequently receives positive responses from parents once they have graduated from the "Parenting with Love & Limits" groups. Parents especially like the fact that coaches meet with families in their homes and allow them to put what they have learned into practice. Families of youth who have graduated from the program continually report success and improved insight as to the importance of providing structure for their children.
Macon County
Since the Redeploy program began in 2005, Macon County has redeployed 155 youth. During the last calendar year Macon County redeployed a total of 15 youth.
Macon County Redeploy exists as a partnership among court, probation, and community service providers. This partnership, known as the Work Group, is responsible for development and direct oversight of programs, services, and processes in the day-to-day business of the initiative. Current Work Group membership includes the direct service providers for the project: Heritage Behavioral Health Center, Youth Advocate Program, Shockwave (a faith- based organization), the Community Restorative Board Coordinator, and Probation. The lead agency for Macon County Redeploy Illinois is Macon County Court Services.
The intake and assessment process utilized for Redeploy Illinois is two pronged. Referrals may come through the court process or by direct referral from Probation of a youth who is already on probation. When a case is referred to Probation from the Court, probation conducts the initial intake immediately following a court hearing and makes referral for Bio-psycho-socio assessment to be conducted. A YASI assessment is conducted within 14 days by Probation. The bio-psycho-socio assessment is conducted within 30 days of referral. A minimum of 1 home visit is conducted by a home interventionist before the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) staffs the case in order to make recommendations to the Court. Multiple home visits are conducted by the assigned probation officer before the MDT staffs the case. The MDT reviews all assessment information within 30 days and makes a recommendation to the Court regarding acceptance into Redeploy Illinois. When a referral comes directly through Probation, the YASI has already been completed. The Juvenile Court Judge is the final authority on who is accepted Redeploy Illinois. A Macon County Probation officer is assigned to supervise Redeploy Illinois clients.
After acceptance, Redeploy provides home intervention services that begin with an initial needs assessment being completed of the family. Emergency needs such as utilities, food and clothing are identified and addressed. Transportation is provided as needed for court appearances, school, counseling and doctor appointments. Internal case management services and linkage to community-based services are also provided. Macon County Redeploy has also implemented a 10-week parent support group, as well as a cognitive group for female youth to assist them with self image. Youth may participate in supervised lawncare services for elderly and/or disabled individuals, to fulfill community service requirements, after which, if they choose to continue, they are paid an hourly wage.
Finally, Redeploy provides youth and their families with Substance Abuse Treatment and Mental Health Services. Level 1 services include, individual, group and family therapy, outreach and case management, assessment, treatment planning, referral and discharge are provided. A family is eligible for funds to assist with school uniforms, pay for the GED test, athletic equipment, hair cuts and styles, and gas for parents/guardians to visit youths in residential setting.
Madison County
In 2011, 21 youth were accepted for services with Redeploy Illinois. Since 2008, 65 youth have received services in Madison County. Only 11of the 65 youth have been unsuccessful in completing the program and were committed to IDJJ.
The lead agency for Madison County Redeploy is Children's Home + Aid, an agency that has provided services for youth in southern Illinois for over 125 years. While the lead agency is Children's Home + Aid, the contract monitor is the Madison County Probation Department. Program partners also include One Hope United, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC), Chestnut Health Systems, Probation, and the Juvenile Court.
Any youth who goes before the Juvenile Judge and is facing a sentence to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) is referred to the Redeploy Illinois. In addition, the Chief Judge also has an administrative order stating any youth who receives an order to have a Social Study Investigation done by the Probation Department, must also be referred to Redeploy for assessment.
Redeploy typically has 30 days to complete a thorough bio-psychosocial assessment that identifies gaps in services, deficits and strengths as well as a detailed outline of goals should the youth be an acceptable candidate for Redeploy. Some youth are detained during this period of time, but they are generally released to their guardians during this time. The youth then appears at their sentencing hearing where the Juvenile Judge determines whether he or she will be given the opportunity to participate in the Redeploy program.
Once accepted, services such as Family Functional Therapy, anger management and Washington Aggression Interruption Training are available to youth. The program can also link youth with equine and art therapy on a limited basis. Employment and Developmental Disability Services are critical services that are also sought for youth, when needed. The majority of youth who close with services report improvement in all life domains, including family relationship, school and outlook on life.
McLean County
In 2011, six individuals were referred and accepted into the McLean County Redeploy program. The total number of clients served, since the inception of Redeploy Illinois, is 40. Of those 40 individuals, 22 have successfully completed the program or are currently participating.
The lead agency for McLean County Redeploy is McLean County Juvenile Court Services. Partners in McLean County consist of Community Stakeholders (minors, parents/guardians, treatment providers and program evaluators) and juvenile justice stakeholders (juvenile judge, State's Attorney, public defender, and juvenile probation).
Delinquent minors are referred to the program by any of the Juvenile Justice Stakeholders. Once referred, McLean County Probation Deputy Director(s) will convene a meeting with the referring member to determine eligibility and what type of Redeploy Service (Preventative vs. full Redeploy/IPS) is appropriate, if found eligible. Once eligibility is determined, a meeting of Community Stakeholders is convened and issues and available services are discussed and an individualized service plan is created. Services available are Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (substance abuse treatment), tele-psychiatry, crisis counseling, family counseling, Family Advocacy, Redeploy Advocacy, Family Advocacy Case Management, parenting group, cognitive behavioral groups, crisis intervention services, GED prep, Adult Basic Education, Employability Skills, and English as Second Language.
Outcomes differ among youth in Redeploy Illinois. Although not all youth are successful in completing the program, many are successful in completing the services outlined for them in their service plan. For those who are successful in completing Redeploy, most egress to traditional probation where they remain until their term of probation is complete. Not all clients who are successful return to traditional probation; some remain in the Redeploy program until their probation term expires.
There has been one major system's change in the way the program functions in McLean County. In November 2011, services were extended as a prevention measure for those youth who qualify for Redeploy services but do not need the intense supervision. The process is the same as full Redeploy; the "preventative" clients receive the same benefits as full clients.
McLean County Redeploy developed a WRAP process. This process allows Court Services to implement individualized service plans for each probationer based on his/her specific needs. Each WRAP meeting includes Court Services' representatives, the probationer, parent(s)/guardian, and the Redeploy community stakeholders. The WRAP meeting works to identify positive areas of the probationer's life that can be built upon as well as areas of need. Further, this process gives the probationer and his/her family a "voice" in the process of determining appropriate programming for the youth and the family.
Court Services has begun to conduct Review Hearings on all Redeploy clients. These hearings generally occur on a 30-day basis. At each hearing a formal report is provided to the Judge that describes the probationer's compliance. Based on the compliance, or lack thereof, the Court will either give the probationer a reward or a sanction. Rewards are either small (i.e., candy bars, chips, or candy), medium (i.e., $5 gift card to McDonalds), or large (i.e., $15.00 gift card to Wal-Mart). Sanctions may include time in the Juvenile Detention Center, time on electronic monitoring and/or home confinement, or hours of community service. This particular judicial process holds each probationer accountable for his/her actions. This periodic review is helping juveniles be more compliant with the program requirements.
Peoria County
In 2011, 40 Peoria youth received Redeploy Services. Since the beginning of the program in 2005, 284 Peoria youth have received services.
Children's Home Association of Illinois (CHAIL) is the lead agency in Peoria County. The intake process starts with a referral from the Probation Officer of Peoria County Juvenile Probation and the presiding Juvenile Court Judge makes final decisions on acceptance. Once this referral is received, the referral information is reviewed, staffed with a Youth Counselor and the Assessment Clinician, and assigned according to current caseloads. The Assessment Clinician then contacts the family and sets up an opening date and time. After the referral process is complete, two assessments are administered during the opening session. First, the Facesheet Assessment gives the Youth Counselor and Assessment Clinician an understanding of the youth's educational, physical, criminal, and family background, to help determine services needed. Secondly, the Child Functional Assessment Rating Scale (CFARS) is an instrument used to assess four main areas: Relationships, Safety, Emotionality, and Disability. The program staff provide services for the youth and family that may include counseling through the use of FFT, individual counseling, mentoring, tutoring, groups, such as anger management (WAIT), social skill building, making positive choices, employment, and other groups relating to self-esteem issues and bullying.
Another key component of the program is that the staff works with the youth and family to locate resources that will assist them with being successful not, only while enrolled in services, but even after the Redeploy services have terminated. Examples of the resources are mental health assessments and screening with the Mental Health Juvenile Justice (MHJJ) program and John R. Day psychological services, drug assessments through White Oaks, educational resources (i.e. Urban League, ICC, District 150), employment resources with Work Force Network, ICC, and relationships which have been built with business owners and employment agencies throughout the Peoria area.
St. Clair County
In 2011, 22 youth were referred for St. Clair County Redeploy Illinois services. Since the inception of Redeploy, in 2005, 200 youth have been referred. One Hundred and Thirty-three (133) of these youth have been accepted and participated in community based services. Over 70% of these youth were successfully diverted from IDJJ. Most youth and their families identify improved outcomes in family cohesion, school and future outlook through follow up surveys.
Children's Home + Aid, an agency that has provided services for youth in southern Illinois for over 125 years, acts as the lead agency for St. Clair Redeploy Illinois. The site is partnered with the St. Clair County Probation Department, the Juvenile Court, One Hope United, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC), Chestnut Health Systems, and actively participates in the Juvenile Justice Council and the St. Clair County Youth Coalition. In addition, the Redeploy Court and Community Liaison were trained to use the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs/Short Screen (GAIN-SS) for youth appearing in Court. This tool is used to identify mental health and substance abuse issues. This addition to the program was done in partnership with TASC. TASC also has a dedicated employee who can provide the GAIN-SS in court when necessary.
All youth considered by the Juvenile Court for placement in the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) are referred to Redeploy for an assessment. This is usually in response to an order for the St. Clair County Juvenile Probation Department to complete a Social Study Investigation on the youth. The assessment looks to identify strengths and gaps in services. From this, a family contract is developed that entails issue specific goals as well as a supervision plan for this youth should he/she be allowed to remain in the community. Most youth have a pending sentencing date where the Juvenile Judge makes the ultimate decision on whether a youth can work with Redeploy in the community instead of being committed to IDJJ. However, some youth are ordered to participate without having a return date back to the Court.
St. Clair County Redeploy has Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST), drug treatment providers and Washington Aggression Interruption Training (WAIT) available to youth. The program can also link youth with equine and art therapy on a limited basis. Employment and Developmental Disability Services are critical services that are also sought for youth when needed. Electronic leg monitors may be used as a step down process or as a sanction for youth. Each of these services is provided to youth based on their assessment and plays an integral role in the success that Redeploy has had in St. Clair County.
