Evaluation of OJJDP JJRRI Demonstration Programs

OJJDP will conduct a comprehensive process and outcome evaluation of the Juvenile Justice Reform and Reinvestment Initiative. This new initiative is made possible through the Partnership Fund for Program Integrity Innovation (the Partnership Fund that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)) administers. The initiative will fund as many as three sites to develop and implement an integrated set of research-based and cost-measurement tools to help them realign juvenile justice services and costs. The evaluator will track the implementation and outcome of activities and determine whether the initiative has had the intended effect. The evaluator will identify and adapt, as necessary, all measurement tools for the evaluation, including cost measurement tool(s) at the site level. This Program is authorized by Pub. L. 111-117, 123 Stat. 3034, 3171 and Pub. L. 112-74, 125 Stat. 786, 898.

The Urban Institute (UI) proposes a 36-month, mixed-methods evaluation of OJJDP's 2012 Juvenile Justice Reform and Reinvestment (JJRRI) Demonstration Program in three sites. Featuring both process and outcome evaluations and a rigorous cost-benefit analysis, this study will determine the extent to which the JJRRI, involving use of the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP) and Risk/Need (R/N) assessment in a results-driven quality improvement framework, together with substantial training and technical assistance (TTA), generates improved outcomes and increased cost effectiveness. Evaluation activities are centered on four tasks: collection of cost data with TTA; collection and analysis of qualitative data; collection and analysis of program and systems records to measure outcomes; and a cost-benefit analysis in each site. UI's team of seasoned evaluators with extensive experience in juvenile justice program and service delivery, process and outcome evaluation work, and cost benefit analysis will engage in these activities to assess if the JJRRI model delivers better targeted and higher quality services; reduces placements in overly restrictive settings and disproportionate minority commitments; and accomplishes these goals cost-effectively. The study will yield actionable information for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, with findings disseminated via an interim report, final cross-site evaluation report, practitioner webinar, and journal articles. CA/NCF