Reforming Juvenile Justice A Developmental Approach (2013) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix B: The Missouri Model: A Critical State of Knowledge
Appendix B: The Missouri Model: A Critical State of Knowledge
Pages 411-430
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The Missouri model of juvenile corrections has been heralded as a leader in the area of juvenile reform; however, little empirical research on the program has been conducted. The primary goal of this appendix is to provide a critical assessment of the Missouri model.
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, argues that the small pilot programs were instrumental in securing eventual legislator support. The pilot programs required little initial financial support but provided valuable evidence to frontline workers, legislators, and others that the new approach would work (Decker, 2010)
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. The dynamic, enduring support of the board was a central element in the development and sustainability of the Missouri model.
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THE MISSOURI MODEL The DYS is managed under the Missouri Department of Social Services. Established in 1974, the agency is currently under the direction of Director Tim Decker.
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During FY2010, DYS had custody of 2,111 youth (Missouri Department of Social Services, 2011)
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Each element of the program model is detailed below, and more information can be found in official DYS documents (Missouri Department of Social Services, 2011) or the DYS Missouri model website (see http://www.missouriapproach.org)
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Decentralized Residential Facilities As noted, the DYS operates 32 residential facilities, including 7 secure care facilities, 18 moderate care facilities, and 7 community residential group homes (Missouri Department of Social Services, 2011)
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throughout their stay, and the agency strives to maintain a 1:6 staff-to-youth ratio (Missouri Department of Social Services, 2011)
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Training and staffing are central to maintaining a positive treatment environment. The residential facilities staff are considered counselors and youth specialists, not guards, as they are commonly called in juvenile training centers and adult facilities.
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certificate or earn a high school diploma; comparative national statistics indicate that 50 percent of youth in secure care earn credit and 11 percent graduate or earn a GED. BEST PRACTICES FOR THE MISSOURI MODEL Four Key Factors The Missouri DYS has identified four key factors that they believe are critical for developing and sustaining a successful juvenile treatment model (Decker, 2011)
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From page 421... ...
Former director Steward, who now helps translate the Missouri model into other jurisdictions, indicates that training staff is a very laborious process and can cost $500,000 per year. Although the investment in training is large, he contends that costs pale in comparison to those of traditional security measures.
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From page 422... ...
Part of the perceived success of the model comes from Missouri's reported relatively low recidivism rates. DYS provides a detailed annual report documenting patterns of recidivism (Missouri Department of Social Services, 2011)
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Although these state differences are often pointed to as evidence of effectiveness by supporters of the Missouri model, their fundamental methodological weaknesses render them virtually meaningless. There is no evidence that the recidivism rates being compared in these different states reflect the behavior of similar youth.
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Although strong leadership, organizational culture change, and so forth are certainly plausible ingredients for success, the case for the dissemination of the Missouri model would be greatly strengthened if those aspects were systematically and rigorously evaluated as well. NEEDS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH The need for substantive information and examples of successful programs is a paramount concern for policy makers.
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Several policy suggestions are presented, including further documentation of the Missouri model that encompasses both process and outcome evaluations. In addition, the development of group-specific treatment modalities and enhanced studies of desistance and reentry programming for youth is encouraged.
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The Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator, under the supervision of the Supreme Court of Missouri, maintains a Judicial Information System (JIS) database that tracks all juvenile law referral cases managed in state courts.
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or propensity score modeling, to evaluate and compare the outcomes of the Missouri model with that of other states (Osborne, 2008)
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Missouri has also faced challenges in providing care to youth in rural areas, particularly given the agency's goal of providing youth services close to home. The state has been able to maintain services for rural populations through the diversionary program and has provided transportation to families of youth who are housed in faraway institutions, but it will need to continue to develop innovative ways in which to serve this population.
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. That is particularly important for programs with the popular acclaim of the Missouri model.
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