Agency integration, 2016

Coordination, 2014

  • Uses for coordination
  • Does not use for coordination
  • Data sharing

    Facilitated through the use of statewide information systems allowing for consistent data sharing between systems.

  • Committees or advisory groups

    Multidisciplinary groups that often have regularly scheduled meetings to brainstorm ways to improve systems integration.

  • Formal interagency MOUs

    Collaborative agreements to guide systems integration efforts

  • Informal interagency agreements

    Commonly based on historical practice, mutual trust, and recognition of the need to collaborate in order to serve dual-status youth.

  • Statute and/or rules

    Rules that mandate systems integration efforts

Summary

In Washington, data sharing between the Department of Social and Health Services, Children's Administration (CA) and the juvenile courts/probation activity can occur at the state-level by merging state-level CA event data with juvenile justice event-level data that is also on a state-wide platform even though juvenile probation is locally administered. This type of sophisticated data sharing occurs on a fairly routine basis to support point-in-time research. The research topics have had both a state and a jurisdiction-specific focus and involved a range of national dual status youth research experts.

While state wide data are analyzed periodically, as resources exist, statewide ongoing reporting of dual status youth has not yet been realized. However, Washington is poised to be among the first states to accomplish this along with reporting by risk/need screening level and recidivism.

Additionally, there are ongoing examples of local data sharing and dual status youth coordination. The focus of many reforms have been in the King County, Juvenile Court Services Department. These efforts have involved policy research to examine in great detail the characteristics and outcomes of dual status youth, developing formal information-sharing protocols and procedures for identifying dual status youth, implementing cross-training and cross-system procedures to coordinate case planning, joint case planning, and joint case management of youth concurrently involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. A standing committee, Uniting for Youth (UfY), advances the case coordination efforts and policy reforms on behalf of dual status youth in King County and is currently working on research based diversion opportunities for dual status youth. Other counties have replicated the King County Information Sharing Resource Guide, conducted cross-system training and enhanced alternatives to formal court processing for dual status youth, with a particular focus on truancy case diversion. A detailed description of data sharing statutes and policies and details concerning the King County model can be found in a second edition of the King County Information Sharing Resource Guide on the MacArthur Foundation's Models for Change juvenile justice systems reform national website.

Reported data


Progressive data, 2014

The Washington State Center for Court Research (WSCCR) has developed a range of internal research tools that are used to examine the trajectories of dual status youth and promote ongoing research. Washington’s efforts are notable because of the ability to link administrative records for youth across juvenile and criminal justice careers, child welfare histories, risk/need assessment data and education data. 

View the most recent statewide indicators brief from WSCCR >>

About this project

Juvenile Justice GPS (Geography, Policy, Practice, Statistics) is a project to develop a repository providing state policy makers and system stakeholders with a clear understanding of the juvenile justice landscape in the states.

Continue reading »

Feedback

Tell us what you think of JJGPS. Questions, feedback, or other comments are welcomed.

Questions or feedback »

Follow on Twitter »