The University of Denver is studying whether an evidence-based, mentoring and skills group intervention can mitigate the effects of childhood adversity, reduce delinquency and juvenile justice involvement, and promote positive youth development. Fostering Healthy Futures is a 9-month mentoring and skills training program for 9- to 11-year-old children placed in court-ordered foster care as a result of maltreatment. An earlier randomized controlled trial evaluation demonstrated that the program significantly reduced youth mental health symptoms, residential treatment facility placements, and foster care placements.

This project is funded under the OJJDP FY 2017 Field Initiated Research and Evaluation Program, which supports efforts to build knowledge and innovation in both policy and practice in areas of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention that have been understudied or merit closer attention.

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