Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Juvenile Court Evidence-Based Programs

• In Event: Contemporary Issues in Disproportionate Minority Contact

Abstract

In order to develop actionable and measurable outcomes to reduce racial and ethnic disparities (RED) in the juvenile justice system, this project took a narrow focus by concentrating on access to evidence-based programs (EBP). Using court level data, each Washington State juvenile court received local racially disaggregated data on youth in 2013 who were eligible, started, and completed each of the EBPs offered. Juvenile court leadership were asked: 1) to identify barriers in addressing these disparities; 2) for innovative approaches they have taken to address RED; and 3) to propose two strategies that they will implement that will have measurable improvements in RED in access to EBPs in the next two years. State and County RED EBP data, common barriers, innovations, and effective approaches to engaging local jurisdictions to address RED will be presented and discussed.

Author

• Sarah Veele, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services