Does SPEP™ Treatment Quality Natter? Examining the Effects of Service Quality of Iinterventions on Subsequent Recidivism for Youth Returning Home from Juvenile Justice Residential Programs

• In Event: Connecting Research to Practice Using the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP™): Improving Juvenile Justice Outcomes

Abstract

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice has implemented Dr. Lipsey’s Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP™) statewide in all residential programs. The current study examines the predictive validity of the treatment quality component of the SPEP™ on recidivism for the cohort of youth (n ~ 2,500) who completed juvenile justice residential commitment from July 1, 2013-June 30, 2104. First we examine whether the overall treatment quality score is predictive of recidivism, net of salient controls. Secondly we evaluate the effect of seven treatment quality subcomponent scores including facilitator training, manual/protocol, adherence to model, facilitator turnover, fidelity monitoring, corrective action, and facilitator turnover. Finally, we assess the consistency of results across gender and program type (sex offender/non-sex offender program). Results shed light on whether or not the quality of the services provided within a residential facility impact subsequent outcomes (12-month recidivism post-completion) upon return of youth to their communities. Policy implications for juvenile justice systems and residential programs are discussed.

Authors

• Kathy Jackowski, G4S Youth Services, LLC

• Michael T. Baglivio, G4S Youth Services, LLC

• Kevin T. Wolff, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Mark A. Greenwald, Florida State University

• Katherine C. Gomez, University of Central Florida / Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Gabrielle Chapman, Vanderbilt University