Positive Outcomes: Strategies for Assessing the Progress of Youth Involved in the Justice System
"Across the United States, youth justice systems are increasingly
turning to the science of adolescent development to inform their
intervention approaches and to measure youth success. Scientific
knowledge about adolescent development is often expressed through the
principles of positive youth development (PYD), a programmatic framework
that encourages service providers to concentrate on the ability of all
young people to thrive when they experience positive relationships and
meaningful activities in supportive and safe environments.
Some youth service systems have long relied on PYD principles—e.g.,
out-of-school-time programs. Youth justice, however, began to embrace
the PYD approach only recently. Interventions based on PYD principles
are not a natural fit for youth justice systems that focus on
controlling misbehavior and preventing subsequent contacts with justice
authorities (i.e. recidivism).
Measuring positive outcomes in youth justice requires a shift away
from recidivism as the sole indicator of program effectiveness. A youth
justice system embracing the PYD approach would gauge its success by
tracking positive youth outcomes, such as the formation of strong and
supportive relationships, academic engagement, labor market readiness,
and improved socio-emotional skills. These outcomes encourage a broader
perspective on the goals of justice intervention and pursuing these
goals would transform youth justice systems, making them more consistent
with research on adolescent development, strengths-based perspectives,
and community connections for youth."
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