OJJDP Bulletin Examines Risk and Needs Assessment

OJJDP has released "Studying Drivers of Risk and Needs Assessment Instrument Implementation in Juvenile Justice." This bulletin examines findings from two OJJDP-funded research projects on factors that promote effective implementation of risk and needs assessment instruments in a juvenile justice setting. Research suggests that quality implementation of risk and needs assessment instruments can help reduce reliance on formal system involvement for some youth and decrease recidivism. The bulletin identifies the factors of implementation—such as staff training and buy-in, managerial support and operating procedures, and stakeholder engagement—that appear to drive effective implementation.