The Missouri Approach: A revolutionary approach to meaningful juvenile justice reform
For more information: http://www.missouriapproach.org
For more information: www.missouriapproach.org
Mo. Juvenile Justice 101
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45 separate juvenile circuits and 17 locally
operated juvenile detention centers handling
30,000 delinquency referrals yearly.
DYS is one of four program divisions of the
State Department of Social Services.
DYS serves the most chronic or serious
offenders; courts relinquish jurisdiction upon
commitment to DYS.
A youth is considered an adult for new law
violations at age 17.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Mo. Juvenile Justice 101
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DYS retains jurisdiction of juvenile offenders
for an indeterminate time based on youth’s
progress, or until youth reaches age 18.
DYS may petition the court to retain/extend
jurisdiction until age 21 for dual jurisdiction
youth or others as deemed necessary.
Juvenile Court Diversion program
administered by DYS to strengthen local
systems and reduce commitments.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Mo.DYS Statistical Overview
 1,000 youth committed & 2,800 served yearly
 86% Male; 14% Female
 85% between 14 - 16 years of age, 8% - 13 and younger
 37% minority youth (compared to 17.8% youth ages 10 – 17 in
Missouri)
 66% from metro areas
 Committing offenses:
 53% felonies (66% with felony history)
 37% misdemeanors
 10% juvenile offenses
 Educational Disability, Mental Health
Conditions, Prior System Involvement
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34% educational disability
46% prior mental health; 38% with an active diagnosis
54% involved in prior substance abuse involvement
23% with prior placement in DSS CD alternative care
Missouri Division of Youth Services
These articles appeared in the Columbia Daily Tribune and the
Jefferson City News Tribune in 1978 at a time when the
systematic de-emphasis of large rural institutions to smaller
treatment facilities was taking place.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Changing Systems for
Youth and Families
Changing systems often involves starting from
a fundamentally different place …
Philosophy/Culture x Focus + Proven Practices =
Quality and Results
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Impact of Culture on Results
Adapted from the work of Thomas Crane, Heart of Coaching
Mo.DYS Beliefs and Philosophies
what works
values driven
“If your child was the next one in/out the door?”
 People desire to do well and succeed - even the
most resistant youth hunger for approval and
acceptance.
 Each person is special and unique - services and
supports are individualized. Through this process
youth recognize the value and strengths of self and
others, and are challenged and inspired to reach their
full potential.
 We are more alike than different - everyone has
fears, insecurities, and basic needs including safety,
attention, and belonging.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Mo.DYS Beliefs and Philosophies
what works
values driven
“If your child was the next one in/out the door?”
 All behavior has a purpose - behavior is often a
symptom of unmet needs.
 People do the best they can with the resources
available to them – given limited behavioral and
emotional options and resources and situations they
have experienced, their behavior may seem logical.
 The family is vital in the treatment process family expertise and participation is essential in the
youth's treatment process, and can also help
facilitate system change within family.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
This philosophy leads to a
fundamentally different
vision for the system…
Every young person served by
Missouri DYS will become a
productive citizen and lead a
fulfilling life.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
The Evolutionary Journey to a Humane
System and Better Results in Missouri
 Fundamentally changing our view of young people
and families, moving beyond behavior and
stereotypes (youth and families).
 Values/mission as our foundation - unrelenting
compassion, determined to find what works (e.g.
hard heads, soft hearts).
 Young people and families in the “center” of
everything we do.
 Adaptation - program fits youth (family); not youth
fits program.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
The Evolutionary Journey to a Humane
System and Better Results in Missouri
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Quality, valued, and engaged frontline staff
(non-custodial); with consistent team
assignments, low ratios, team standards and
accountability.
Systemic perspective, beyond programmatic
or best practice model.
Comprehensive, integrated, continuous
improvement, results-oriented.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Example: Impact of Culture on Practice:
Correctional/Traditional Approach
Images from Traditional Youth
Corrections Programs
Reshaping Behavior: Completing the
Puzzle
Mo.DYS Executive Leadership Team January 2009
Supportive Environments Through
Safety Building Blocks
Humane and Developmental
Approaches Increase Safety
Safe and Humane Environments
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Youth are 4 ½ times more likely to be
assaulted in other youth correctional
programs than in Missouri DYS.
Staff members are 13 times more likely to be
assaulted in other youth correctional
programs than in Missouri DYS.
Source: Research by Dick Mendel (2008) comparing Missouri DYS to youth correctional programs participating in
the Performance Based Standards (PbS) process.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
“Spare the Rod” Video
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Impact of Culture on Practice:
Trauma-Informed & Developmental
CHANGE
These articles appeared in 2008 editions of the Kansas City
Star and St. Louis Post-Dispatch reflecting the results of years
of innovation and reform by the Division’s leaders and
partners.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Mo.DYS Educational Approach
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Fully accredited as a free-standing school
district with collaborative relationships and
access to federal, state, and local funding
that “follows the student”.
Group process through “circles”, daily group
meetings, and experiential group projects
that create a “therapeutic one-room
schoolhouse”.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Mo.DYS Educational Approach
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Small class sizes and individualized learning
plans for all students.
Teachers and youth specialists working sideby-side and with common professional
development and treatment planning (healthy
marriage - education and treatment).
Transition supports (e.g. virtual academy,
case management, mentors and learning
coaches).
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Social Intelligence – The New Science
of Human Relationships
“Half a dozen times a day the members form into a
circle to check in with each other to say how they
feel….. They meet for activities that are designed to
enhance camaraderie and
cooperation, foster empathy
and accurate perceptions of
each other, and build
communication skills and
trust. All of that constructs
a secure base and provides
them with the social abilities they so desperately
need.” – Daniel Goleman, 2006
Mo.DYS Educational Performance
for State Fiscal Year 2013
 438 Secondary School Completions (353 GED, 85 High
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School Diploma); 47% of 17 year olds completing prior to
discharge from custody.
85% passage rate on GED, compared to 80% in 2012 and
78% in 2011.
30 DYS students scored over 3000 on the GED and
qualified for a college scholarship; compared to 16 in 2012.
105 students enrolled in college courses; compared to
75 students 2012.
216 students have earned career readiness certificates
for potential job placement.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Mo.DYS National Comparison
Educational Progress and Completion
 84% of 13 – 21 year olds earn high school credits,
compared to 68% nationally.
 43% of 16 – 21 year olds earn a GED or HS Diploma,
compared to 15% nationally.
 45% of 6 – 21 year olds successfully return to their
local school district, compared to 24% nationally.
 99% of long-term students improved in reading,
compared to 73% nationally.
 99% of long-term students improved in math,
compared to 72% nationally.
Source: Preliminary 2011-12 School Year Data for U.S Department of
Education, Title I, Part D, Subpart 1, Juvenile Corrections Programs
Mo.DYS Law-Abiding & Productive
Young People with a Future …
Law-Abiding Behavior
 3 years after discharge 93% of DYS
youth have avoided further incarceration, and
67% have avoided further involvement with
juvenile justice or adult corrections.
Productive Involvement
 Over 86% of DYS youth are productively
involved in their communities through school
or work.
Source: Missouri Department of Social Service, Center for Management Information
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Lessons Learned & Best
Practices
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All young people want to do well and succeed
even the most resistant youth hunger for
approval, acceptance, and accomplishment.
School failure is more of an evolution than a
resolution - we must understand the dynamics of
“Accumulative Disadvantage”.
Programs alone don’t change people,
relationships matter – youth are often
disconnected and need to rebuild positive adult
and peer connections and support.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Lessons Learned & Best
Practices
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Individualized learning plans or every
student and differentiated instruction,
individualized learning in a group context.
Social-emotional competence is an
essential component of learning, healthy
development, and navigating life.
Multiple pathways to educational
completion must be available – “one size
fits all” approaches are inherently exclusive.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Lessons Learned & Best
Practices
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The family is vital in the educational
and youth development process family expertise and participation is best
cultivated through deliberate outreach,
one-to-one conversations, and
strengthening natural support networks.
Universal Case Management providing
continuity, youth and family advocacy from
start to finish.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Implications for Leadership
and Policy Makers
 Create buy-in to a collective vision, building
on existing strengths.
 Effective education policy involves
 Control and accountability vs. blame
 Resources – financial, relational, data and
information
 Developmental approach, don’t implement
changes all at once.
 Teaching, Expecting, Modeling, and
Monitoring (TEMM Approach).
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Implications for Leadership
and Policy Makers
 Organizational Culture goes hand-in-hand
with strengthened educational practices:
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View everything through the lens of established
belief system/values and proven, effective
practices
Engage throughout the system to support and
sustain culture change
Accountable/Determined -“hard heads, soft
hearts”, “do what it takes” philosophy
Missouri Division of Youth Services
Implications for Leadership
and Policy Makers
 Hire and develop quality staff and
implement a team approach – get the “right
people on the bus”, create supportive teams,
and prepare and develop them constantly.
 Community Schools Orientation – create
centers of community activity and engagement
(e.g. Day Treatment Centers to Family and
Community Resource Centers).
Missouri Division of Youth Services
2014 Strategic Plan for
Education in Missouri DYS
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Education standards and individualized
differentiated instruction focused on
improvements in reading, math, basic skills.
Improve teacher hiring and retention.
Expand distance learning and National
Career Readiness Certificate programs to
support persistence to graduation, college
preparation, and job readiness.
Missouri Division of Youth Services
2014 Strategic Plan for
Education in Missouri DYS
Develop and implement robust teacher
evaluation tool to improve instructional
practices.
 Expand employment and vocational
options for older youth through integrated
education/jobs program.
 Enhanced transition planning and support
(e.g. 5 Domains, FAST Process).
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Missouri Division of Youth Services