Inventory of Evidence-Based, Research-Based, and Promising Practices

Inventory of Evidence-Based, Research-Based, and Promising Practices
For Prevention and Intervention Services for Children and Juveniles
in the Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Mental Health Systems

The 2012 Legislature passed E2SHB 2536 with the intention that “prevention and intervention services delivered to children and juveniles in the areas of mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice be primarily evidence-based and research-based, and it is anticipated that such services will be provided in a manner that is culturally competent.”

The bill directs the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) and the University of Washington Evidence-Based Practice Institute (UW) to publish descriptive definitions and prepare an inventory of evidence-based, research-based, and promising practices and services, and to periodically update the inventory as more practices are identified. Under E2SHB 2536, the inventory, published here, will be used by Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA) to complete a baseline assessment to determine whether their current programs and services are evidence-based or research-based. By December 30, 2013, DSHS and HCA will report to the Governor and the legislature on strategies to increase the use of evidence-based and research-based practices.

The Juvenile Justice System in Washington State: Recommendations to Improve Cost-Effectiveness

The 2001 Washington State Legislature directed the Institute to: a) conduct a comprehensive review of the costs and benefits of existing juvenile crime prevention and intervention programs; b) consider what changes could result in more cost-effective and efficient funding for juvenile crime prevention and intervention programs presently supported with state funds; and c) report findings and recommendations to legislative fiscal and policy committees. This report is the 8-page summary of the study and contains recommendations that we believe can lead to an improved use of scarce juvenile justice resources in Washington.

Intensive Parole Model for High Risk Juvenile Offenders: Interim Outcomes for the First Cohort of Youth

JRA contracted with the Institute to evaluate the program's implementation, determine whether it reduces recidivism, and analyze its costs and benefits to taxpayers and crime victims. To determine whether intensive parole reduces recidivism, the Institute compared intensive parole youth with a similar group of youth who did not receive intensive parole.

Standardizing Protocols for Treatment to Restore Competency to Stand Trial: Interventions and Clinically Appropriate Time Periods

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (Institute) was directed by the 2012 Legislature to “study and report to the legislature the benefit of standardizing treatment protocols used for restoring competency to stand trial in Washington, and during what clinically appropriate time period said treatment might be expected to be effective.”

To conduct this work, the Institute contracted with a national expert in the field, Dr. Patricia Zapf. This report provides background on the types of interventions (treatments) used throughout the United States for the restoration of competency to stand trial, and research regarding the timelines for restoration. In addition, data on length of stay at Eastern State Hospital and Western State Hospital for incompetent defendants remanded for competence restoration are summarized.

The Dangerous Mentally Ill Offender Program: Cost Effectiveness 2.5 Years After Participants' Prison Release

Washington State's Dangerous Mentally Ill Offender (DMIO) program, enabled by the 1999 Legislature, identifies mentally ill prisoners who pose a threat to public safety and provides them services and treatment up to five years after their release from prison.

WSIPP and the Washington Institute for Mental Illness Research and Training were directed by the legislature to evaluate the program.

Service Provider Survey: Summary of Survey Questions and Answers

The Dependency and Termination Equal Justice Committee (DTEJC) was established by the Office of Public Defense, at legislative direction, to study several aspects of child dependency cases. To inform itself about service providers and practices of the courts and of DSHS, the DTEJC elected to survey five populations. This report focuses on the survey of a subset of facilities that provide services other than chemical dependency to parents in child abuse and neglect cases.

For reports on related surveys click on the links below.

Chemical Dependency Treatment Provider Survey
Court Survey
Evaluator Survey
Social Work Supervisor Survey
Timing of Services to Parents

Sex Offender Community Notification: A Review of Laws in 32 States

Community notification refers to the distribution of information regarding released sex offenders to citizens and community organizations. This report analyzes 32 states with legislation authorizing some form of notification, or access to information, on registered sex offenders. The states are organized into three categories: broad community notification, notification to organizations and individuals at risk, and access to registration information.

Children in Long-Term Foster Care in Washington: Preliminary Findings

The 2000 Legislature directed the Institute to compare placement decisions and funding methodologies for residential care services for children in long-term foster care and to examine the best practices in other states (EHB 2487). This report addresses the state’s funding methodologies. A separate report covers innovative practices and a literature review.

Washington State’s Juvenile Justice System: Evolution of Policies, Populations, and Practical Research

Over the last 20 years, the Washington State Legislature has taken a number of steps to develop an “evidence-based” juvenile justice system. Through collaboration between the research community and policymakers, reforms have facilitated a significant shift in court practices and characteristics of the populations of court-involved youth.

Recent findings suggest that a new era of juvenile justice research is needed to identify how changes in justice-involved populations and court practices may affect the long-term effectiveness of juvenile court reforms. This report provides an overview of the evolution of legislative and administrative policies, justice-involved populations, and juvenile justice research over the last two decades. The report concludes with a discussion about pathways forward for Washington State’s policymakers and research community.

Inpatient Psychiatric Capacity in Washington State: Assessing Future Needs and Impacts (Part Two)

In 2012, recent amendments to Washington State’s Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) will take effect. New legal guidelines will allow a designated investigator to more fully consider information from both credible witnesses and historical records when making commitment decisions. The 2010 Legislature directed the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (Institute) to estimate the number of additional psychiatric admissions that may occur as a result of this law and examine how many inpatient psychiatric beds may be necessary to accommodate this increase. These estimates were presented in a companion to this report (completed in July 2011).

This report outlines various approaches for addressing the projected increase in psychiatric admissions. First, we discuss options for developing additional capacity within the state’s inpatient psychiatric system. Next, we highlight both programmatic and statutory alternatives that may help prevent (or divert) future psychiatric admissions. This section also summarizes laws from four different states that provide for alternatives to involuntary inpatient admissions. Finally, this report examines the relationship between ITA-related psychiatric admissions and utilization of both county jails and hospital emergency departments.