Ensure Youth in JJYS Youth Services Assessment Phase Receive Timely Assessment
Current Value
85.7%
Definition
Measure Definition
This measure represents the percent of youth in the Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS), Youth Services Assessment program, during specified State Fiscal Year Quarters, that have a completed a Utah Family and Children Engagement Tool (UFACET) Screener within 30 days of enrolling in the program, or a prior completed Utah Protective and Risk Assessment (PRA) assessment . JJYS enrollment, service, and assessment data are collected through the JJYS case management information system.
Results for this measure are updated quarterly, within 45 days after the end of each quarter.
Story Behind the Curve
As a result of significant Utah policy reform and practice change in 2017, Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS) now serves thousands of youth in early intervention services throughout Utah. The design of JJYS early intervention is to prevent youth from further involvement within the juvenile justice or child welfare systems when possible.
JJYS's goal is to help youth live safe and healthy lives right in their homes, schools, and communities. In State Fiscal Year 2023, 98% of the youth completing this phase of early intervention services avoided any further system involvement. This is a significant achievement and outcome.
One of the most important steps in delivering effective early intervention services occurs in the initial screening and assessments. Utah's Protective and Risk Assessment (PRA) and the Utah Family and Children Engagement Tool (UFACET) are both critical tools for evaluating the needs of both the youth and their family. As the shift to early intervention services is relatively new in juvenile justice, so too is the emphasis on timely screening and assessments. JJYS's target for this measure is to ensure 100% of youth enrolled in JJYS Youth Services Assessment Phase receive timely assessments.