Assessing the Impact of HEAT on Treatment Court Outcomes and Disparities Using Propensity Score Matching

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Racial disparities in treatment court outcomes are well documented. Upon noticing these disparities within their division, a Midwestern treatment court implemented several changes to address issues with diversity, equity, and inclusion. Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy (HEAT) is one of the interventions this court implemented, and it was targeted at addressing low graduation rates among African American men. HEAT is a culturally responsive, trauma-informed intervention developed for young, justice-involved African American men. Pilot testing investigating the effectiveness of this intervention in improving treatment outcomes for this at-risk population shows promising results. In this study, descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample. Propensity score matching was then used to test outcomes for court participants (n=142). At the individual level, this study explores convictions for 12 months post-treatment court completion. In addition, this study explores annualized graduation rates among African American men in 2019 and for each year post-implementation of HEAT. The qualitative component explores the experiences of facilitators and participants of HEAT (n=10). Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected through these interviews. Results can add to the limited research and inform future policy and practice initiatives aimed at reducing disparities in drug court outcomes.

Authors

• Elizabeth Taylor, University of Missouri

• Kelli E. Canada, University of Missouri