Training/Technical Assistance & Best Practices
Best Practice Summary: Collaboration in Prevention Programming
Locality: City of Newport News
Contact: Larry Robinson, Division of Juvenile Services
Phone Number: (757) 926-8848
Email Address: lrobinson@nngov.com
Description of Best Practice: The Cities of Newport News and Hampton are establishing a strength-based Young Juvenile Offender Initiative Program that will operate by using a holistic approach with juveniles under the age of 14 and their families. The guiding philosophy is that in order to prevent further penetration into the Juvenile Justice System, young juveniles must be actively involved in positive activities that develop problem solving, maintain structure, and provide access to community resources. This program for first time offenders presently has 18 youth who have been assessed by an interdisciplinary treatment team. Services provided range from tutorial assistance with academics, to substance abuse prevention, to a 12 week skills enhancement program for parents and their children.
What have been the benefits/ results of the implementation? The full benefits are unknown at this time for this new program.
Estimated savings: Not yet determined.
Barriers to overcome: None stated.
Best Practice Summary: The Early Intervention Strategy
Team (EIST)
Locality: Fairfax County
Contact: Gail Ledford
Phone Number: (703) 324-7748
Email Address: gail.ledford@fairfaxcounty.gov
Description of Best Practice: The Early Intervention Strategy (EIST) was established in November 1995 as a result of the disproportionate representation of young African-American children needing intensive high risk treatment services in the Fairfax-
Falls Church area. The EIST Team was charged by the Community Policy Management Team (CPMT) with 1) identifying reasons for this disproportionate representation and 2) developing individual, family, school and community early interventions strategies for working with at-risk African-American children and their families.
System wide staff training began in the spring of 1997 and focused on developing a system of care for young children and their families that would strengthen the parent-child relationship and value the African-American family and its culture. Following the introductory series, the EIST has developed a more comprehensive set of training modules designed to encourage “hands on” workers to view the family more broadly, as a socio-cultural system and to comprehensive intervention strategies appropriate for each family.
What have been the benefits and or results of the
implementation? Today, based upon evaluations, modest changes in the numbers of African-American children entering foster care each year, budgetary constraints, the EIST has developed a new
approach-one that incorporates dialogue and more actively engages workers with “hands on” experience learn from their own and other’s experiences. The intent is to offer such dialogues
at various times in various locations and to make them interesting and accessible as possible. The multi-agency staffing and flexible funding has been eliminated and the team is developing new
communication strategies to publicize both the dialogue and their under-utilized consultation services.
Estimated Savings: Information not available
Barriers to Overcome: None stated
Best Practice Summary: Prevention and Early Intervention
CSA Case Managers
Locality: Staunton/Augusta/Waynesboro
Contact: Lisa Dunn
Phone Number: (540)-245-5825
Email Address: lbd820@northern.dss.state.va.us
Description of Best Practice: These three localities utilize
CSA case managers who work directly with families before those families come to the for FAPT for assessment and potential CSA services. Referrals come from the families, schools and other
agencies.
What have been the benefits and or results of the implementation? Prevention cases are more frequently referred to the appropriate agencies rather than coming to FAPT resulting in CSA funds not being utilized. The CSA case manager directs the family to the appropriate services and has follow up contacts with the family to ensure progress of any required services.
Estimated Savings: Information not available
Barriers to Overcome: None stated
Best Practice Summary: Alternative School Suspension Program
Locality: Franklin County
Contact: Greg Winge
Phone Number: (540) 783-7209
Email Address: gregwinge@cablenet-va.com
Description of Best Practice:Working in collaboration with the Franklin County School System, the Franklin County Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) identified Child in Need of Services (C.H.I.N.S) Court Petitions being converted into foster care cases as a major contributor of to the rising number of children receiving out-of-home placement services in Franklin County. On August 27, 2003, the Franklin County School System was awarded a $50,000 grant through the Virginia Department of Education to implement an Alternative School Suspension Program. This program involves students who receive out-of-school suspensions by serving their suspensions (with parental consent) in the Alternative Suspension Program.
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation? Suspended students have been refered to alternative programs that involve counseling, education and community services since implementation since the start of this academic year (September, 2003). These students participating in the Alternative School Suspension Program are not counted as absent from regular school attendance.
Estimated savings: Information not available
Barriers to overcome: None stated
Best Practice Summary: Shoplifter’s Alternative
Locality: City of Alexandria
Contact: Dr. Janet Bessimer
Phone Number: (703) 838-0822
Email Address: janet.bessimer@ci.alexandria.va.us
Description of Best Practice: This locality has implemented a 16 hour program for first time petty larceny offenders. Offenders complete the 8 hour home study component and an 8 hour class. The 8 hour class is conducted by Target stores’ asset protection team. The curriculum covers the facts about shoplifting, temptation and motivation, risk vs. reward and works with individuals to develop a “prevention plan” to stop the shoplifting activities before they occur. At the completion of the course, student are given an opportunity to “tour” Target’s security system.
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation? The program has served 30-40 youths per year. Participants are “tracked” for 1 year for further petty larceny offenses. The success rate for prevention of any future shoplifting charges is over 80% by the youth Participating and completing this class.
Estimated Savings: Information not available
Barriers to Overcome: None stated
Best Practice Summary: Nurturing Parent Program
Locality: Fairfax County
Contact: Gail Ledford
Phone Number: (703) 324-7748
Email Address: Gail.ledford@fairfaxcounty.gov
Description of Best Practice: In 1990, Fairfax County implemented this program. The goals of the program are to increase the understanding of both parents and children about their needs and needs of others, help build strong, positive relationships among family members, increase parent’s knowledge of appropriate developmental needs of children, increase self esteem in both parents and children and offer alternatives to physical punishment. The unique features of the program are that the program is free to participants and it includes both parents and children in small groups of 10-12 families. The groups are held in English and Spanish in various locations in the community, meals are served, and child care is provided.
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation? In February 2000, the Fairfax County Nurturing Parenting Program was 1 of 15 programs selected nationwide to receive the National Association of Counties "Acts of Caring" Award. A total of 16 groups were held from 4/1/00-3/31/01. A total of 185 families received services.
Estimated savings: None stated
Barriers to overcome: None stated
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