Bridging Risk Assessments to Case Planning: Development and Evaluation of an Intervention-Planning Tool for Adolescents on Probation

Abstract

Even though risk assessment tools are often intended to inform case planning, they do not provide much direct guidance. As such, we developed an intervention-planning tool called the Adolescent Risk Reduction and Resilient Outcomes Work-Plan (ARROW) to accompany the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth. The ARROW includes a decision support system, guide, and training, and is one of the first tools of its kind. To evaluate the ARROW, we conducted two studies: (a) a vignette study with 178 professionals and (b) a field study with 320 propensity-score matched adolescents. Most professionals (>98%) rated the ARROW as useful. Moreover, compared with (a) unstructured plans and (b) a simple form, ARROW plans were more likely to include supported interventions, adhere to best practices, and integrate culturally tailored approaches for Indigenous adolescents. Formulations also showed improvements. However, further research is needed on strategies to bridge risk assessment and risk management.

Predictive validity of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) among a sample of Asian Canadian youth on probation.

“…Our sample of Asian Canadian youth was drawn from two sources: (a) previously collected provincial data and (b) newly collected provincial data. Previous data came from a larger project in which we examined case plans for youth on probation (Viljoen, Cochrane, et al, 2019; Viljoen, Shaffer, et al, 2019) and the predictive validity of YPOs’ SAVRY assessments for Indigenous youth (Muir et al, 2020). To generate the sample for this larger project, the provincial youth justice authority provided lists of all youth on probation in the province for two time periods (November 2, 2012 to April 7, 2014 and April 30, 2015 to November 15, 2015) and youth were randomly sampled from these lists.…”

Interrater reliability and experiences of Assessment, Intervention, and Moving-on 3 Assessment Model in a multidisciplinary Norwegian sample

“…We also wish to highlight that a moderate, better, or worse ICC absolute agreement estimate could still imply different qualitative interpretations and recommendations for intervention and safety in further case planning and follow-up ( cf. Viljoen et al, 2019 ).…”

“…One should be aware that this study's ICC results are based on agreement in absolute terms, not only the practitioner's relative scorings, and that the use of fewer raters, as in more traditional We also wish to highlight that a moderate, better, or worse ICC absolute agreement estimate could still imply different qualitative interpretations and recommendations for intervention and safety in further case planning and follow-up (cf. Viljoen et al, 2019).…”

Partners or adversaries? The relation between juvenile diversion supervision and parenting practices.

“…Systems abiding by RNR should identify what risk factors an individual has, what they need to overcome them, and implement a treatment program that specifically addresses those concerns, particularly devoting more resources to youth at more risk of future justice involvement (Andrews et al, 1990; Andrews & Bonta, 2010). As recommended by numerous researchers (e.g., Drawbridge et al, 2019; Nelson & Vincent, 2018; Tahamont et al, 2015), jurisdictions are increasingly focusing on directing the most intensive efforts toward the higher-risk individuals (Monahan et al, 2017; Viljoen, Cochran, et al, 2019; Viljoen, Shaffer, et al, 2019). More intensive efforts have historically tended to focus on surveillance, control, and discipline (Sluder et al, 1991).…”