Program Goals
The Front-End Diversion Initiative (FEDI) seeks to divert juveniles with mental health needs from adjudication in the juvenile justice system by using specialized supervision and case management. FEDI was originally implemented in four Texas probation departments: in Bexar, Dallas, Lubbock, and Travis Counties. In Texas, probation intake is the gatekeeper to the juvenile court and therefore was an ideal point to implement a preadjudicatory diversion strategy. The primary diversion strategy was the use of specialized juvenile probation officers. The efforts of the initiative supported the development, implementation, and evaluation of the use of specialized juvenile probation officers.
Program Theory
A central aspect of FEDI is diversion, which is “an attempt to divert, or channel out, youths from the juvenile justice system” (Bynum and Thompson 1996). Diversion is based on the labeling theory, which suggests that processing certain youths through the juvenile justice system may do more harm than good because of the potential for stigmatization (Bynum and Thompson 1996).
In addition, youths with mental health disorders (such as anxiety disorders, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) may be at greater risk of experiencing the negative consequences of juvenile justice system involvement. Anywhere from 50 percent to 70 percent of adolescents in the juvenile justice system suffer from a mental health disorder, compared with only 9 percent to 20 percent of adolescents in the general population (Colwell, Villarreal, and Espinosa 2012). Research suggests that those with mental health disorders are less capable of understanding the juvenile justice system, treated more harshly than those without a mental illness, and more vulnerable to delve further into the system as a result of their disorder (Colwell, Villarreal, and Espinosa 2012).
Target Population/Eligibility
As a result of the Texas Family Code, probation officers, the juvenile, and a caregiver have the ability to enter into an informal agreement of deferred prosecution for up to 6 months. To be eligible to participate in the FEDI program, juveniles had to qualify for deferred prosecution; receive MAYSI–2 scores that indicated additional mental health screening may be needed, such as four or more cautions or two or more warnings; have a current mental health diagnosis; and have a parent or guardian who is willing to participate in the program.
Program Components
The FEDI program used several specialized supervision and case management strategies that were considered best practices, such as small caseloads, specialized trained officers, internal and external service coordination, and active problem solving (Colwell Villarreal, and Espinosa 2012). In following this model, FEDI included specialized juvenile probation officers whose caseload did not have more than 15 juveniles with mental health needs, which is smaller than a traditional caseload for juvenile probation officers in Texas. These officers were trained in motivational interviewing, family engagement, crisis intervention, and behavioral health management.
Although all the various FEDI program sites implemented a similar framework, each site varied on specific program components. For example, in Dallas referrals to the FEDI program can be made by intake officers, psychological staff, deferred prosecution officers, field assessment officers, and the detention referee. Once a youth is determined eligible–following the same core criteria–a face sheet, MAYSI scores, a case history, a social history, and a psychological evaluation/screen (if available) must be submitted to the FEDI supervisor. Next, the FEDI supervisor assigns a probation officer to the case, who decides whether the FEDI program is appropriate for the youth based on the documentation provided, as well as on information gained through the Family Suitability Interview (Spriggs 2009).
If a child is accepted into the FEDI program, the initial case plan is completed within the first 72 hours. This plan includes the goals for the child and family to work toward, as well as services in the community. The plan also identifies the educational needs of a child and the child’s overall strengths and values. This plan is reviewed monthly during the youth’s participation in the FEDI program. Once a goal is obtained, the officer determines new goals for the child and family to work toward completing. Finally, once the program is completed the officer develops a discharge plan that links the child and family with services in the community (Spriggs 2009).
