For the past several years, our field has evolved such that there has been emphasis placed on the use of validated, structured decision making instruments in various aspects of community and institutional operations. Not unlike other juvenile justice systems across the country, in the last decade our Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice has adopted a risk assessment instrument, detention assessment instrument (DAI), and JCC classification instrument. These instruments were put in place to bring consistency and effectiveness of activities in line with agency mission.
Recently the Department of Juvenile Justice has adopted a new risk assessment instrument, the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument, or YASI, and as a member of the implementation team I have been traveling throughout the Commonwealth to assist in training staff. My travel thus far has included Roanoke and Abingdon, or as fellow VJJA Board member, Doug Poe, affectionately refers to all venues west of Roanoke, “The GREAT Southwest”. And though I hate to admit when a Hokie colleague is correct, particularly Doug, he rightfully predicted that it would be a great trip.
My trip to the “Great” Southwest Virginia was great for a number of reasons. First, despite the long drive, as a former resident and employee of the western part of the state I always look forward to traveling west. Each trip I look forward to seeing the mountains, hearing the familiar “twang”, and re-connecting with old friends and former co-workers. In addition to the usual reasons why I enjoyed my time in Abingdon and Roanoke, was an appreciation for the course content and a feeling that our field as a whole and our juvenile justice system here in Virginia are moving in the right direction. Though I was sent west to assist the instructor, I was as much a participant as an instructor. In addition to leaving with a deeper understanding of the instrument, I left with a greater appreciation for a why a new instrument is needed and optimism that implementation of the new tool and approach will yield positive results for both workers and the court-involved children with whom they work.
TOP 10 REASONS I LIKE YASI (in no particular order):
(1) SKILL DEVELOPMENT
The new instrument, approach and requisite training represent an opportunity for professional development and skill building. Workers will have an opportunity to broaden their knowledge base, develop new skills and add new tools to their tool boxes.
(2) MOTIVATIONAL STYLE
YASI is more than an assessment instrument. It is an approach that uses a motivation-based, conversational interviewing style. It is an approach that moves us away from the widely practiced but largely ineffective confrontational style in which workers enforce conditions of supervision through rigid monitoring and punishment. While in the short-term the confrontational approach may sometimes appear to be successful and may look good politically, perceived changes are often artificial and short-lived and do not result in long term behavioral change.
(3) BASED ON “WHAT WORKS”
Research is highly supportive of the validity of the tool. The YASI is a validated tool and the research-based “What Works” model serves as the foundation of the training.
(4) FOCUSED ON CHANGING BEHAVIOR
The YASI approach recognizes and encourages autonomy, self-determination, and positive reinforcement. It is an approach that recognizes that young people are capable of change and that well-trained and highly skilled youth workers can be the impetus for that change. Most importantly the tool helps workers focus exclusively on those areas that contribute to behavioral change and recidivism.
(5) UTILITY / APPLICATION
The YASI has a variety of potential applications in juvenile probation, corrections, and other youth service settings. YASI results can help set contact levels for probation cases, assist in decisions regarding supervision of cases in community and custodial settings, identify needs and strengths to target in service plans, select appropriate candidates for focused programs, monitor progress over the course of supervision, adjust supervision levels over time, and gather information about the characteristics of a service population. Based on triage principles, the using the pre-screen version of the instrument is an efficient method for quickly identifying low risk cases that do not require intensive services, improving diversion decision-making and identifying higher risk cases that need more thorough assessment and subsequent services/interventions at intensive levels.
(6) CASE PLANNING
The YASI features an integrated case planning component that is driven by the assessment results. It allows for a seamless, efficient and comprehensive process of assessment and case planning. This is important so that the case plan is individualized to the particular young person and specifically targets the areas most likely to impact recidivism.
(7) RESOURCE AND TIME CHALLENGES
The approach is recognizant of the resource and time challenges faced by workers in our field. The assessment is not just another piece of paper in an endless sea of paperwork, but rather a meaningful document with a clear connection to case planning and case supervision. In addition to the integrated case planning component, the YASI software utility includes a feature that develops a computer-generated narrative report.
(8) COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
We know from our own experiences that we are more likely to be invested in a plan in which we have input. The YASI uses a collaborative approach to working with youth and families to plan how to address their needs. The case planning session includes an emphasis on engaging youth in the process of selecting and committing to their own goals for change.
(9) PROTECTIVE FACTORS
While the department’s old risk assessment instrument was still valid in that it accurately assessed risk, the tool failed to consider protective factors. The YASI assesses risk, need and protective factors. Protective factors are strengths or assets that help reduce negative outcomes. Promising new research now points to the potential for strengths to “buffer” the negative effects of risk by helping to reduce negative outcomes even when risk factors are present.
(10) WHAT’s IN A NAME?
My final reason for liking the YASI is that I have a good association with the name. The name for me conveys warm, “fuzzy” feelings and that seems appropriate for a tool and approach with a proven track record and the promise to have a far reaching impact on workers and court-involved children in Virginia for many years to come. That’s something that I believe even those most averse to all things warm and fuzzy can feel good about. (Editor’s Note: President Stinnett has a warm, fuzzy, chocolate Labrador retriever affectionately know as “Yaz” or “Yazzie”).
Interested readers can download a PowerPoint presentation and learn more about YASI at http://www.orbispartners.com/frame.htm. For more on the original “Yazzie” visit www.youtube.com and search for “Yoga Yaz”.
(In addition to serving as VJJA President, Beth Stinnett works in central administration at the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. Among her responsibilities is serving as the Statewide JDAI Coordinator.)
