Matthew Rollie

A Longitudinal Study of the Impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention on Juvenile Offender Psychosocial Functioning: An Expanded Assessment.

ABSTRACT Expanded analyses were completed on the efficacy of a family empowerment intervention for juvenile offenders and their families. The results indicate the promise of the intervention in regard to the youths drug use and involvement in drug sales during a one-year post initial interview follow up period.

Recently Arrested Adolescents are at High Risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Background: Adolescent offenders may be at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). With previous research and interventions focused on incarcerated adolescents, data are needed on STD prevalence and risk factors among newly arrested youth released to the community, a far larger subgroup. Methods: Participants were recruited from all arrested youth processed at the Hillsborough County, Florida Juvenile Assessment Center during the last half of 2006 (506 males, 442 females). Participants voluntarily providing urine samples for drug testing as part of standard protocol were also consented to having their specimens split and tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea, using an FDA-approved nucleic acid amplification test. Results: STD prevalence was similar to those previously reported among incarcerated adolescents: 11.5% tested positive for chlamydia, 4.2% for gonorrhea, and 13.2% for either or both infections. Prevalence was significantly higher among females: 19.2% of females had either or both infections compared with 10.5% of males. Prevalence was higher for 17 to 18 year olds (15.2% of males, 25.5% of females), blacks, detained youths, drug users, and those engaged in sexual risk behaviors. Previous STD testing experience was limited. Conclusions: The study indicated that a voluntary STD screening protocol is feasible for arrested youth entering the juvenile justice system, and these offenders are at high risk for STDs. Because most arrested youths are released back to the community, routine testing and treatment of recently arrested youths, and expanded access to risk reduction and prevention programs, can yield substantial public health benefits.

Youth Recidivism Twelve Months after a Family Empowerment Intervention: Final Report.

Abstract We report the results of a study of the impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) on twelve-month recidivism among 303 youths processed at the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center who entered the project between September 1, 1994 and December 31, 1997. The FEI seeks to improve family functioning by empowering parents. Families involved in the project were randomly assigned to receive either an Extended Services Intervention (ESI) or the FEI. Families in the ESI group received monthly phone contacts and, if indicated, referral information; FEI families received three one-hour, home-based meetings per week from a clinician-trained paraprofessional. Final twelve month follow-up analysis indicated that youths who completed the FEI experienced significantly lower rates of new charges and significantly fewer new arrests than youths not completing the FEI. Further, considerable juvenile justice system direct costs savings were projected to be associated with providing FEI services to diversion cases over a two-year period.

Psychosocial Functioning Among Juvenile Offenders 12 Months After Family Empowerment Intervention

Abstract We report the final results of a study of the impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) on the one-year, post-initial interview psychosocial functioning of 272 youths processed at the Hillsbo-rough County Juvenile Assessment Center who entered the project between September 1, 1994 and January 31, 1998. The FEI seeks to improve family functioning by empowering parents. Families involved in the project were randomly assigned to either receive an Extended Services Intervention (ESI) or the FEI. Families in the ESI group received monthly phone contacts and, if indicated, referral information; FEI families received three one-hour, home-based meetings per week for 10 weeks from a clinician-trained para-professional. The outcome analyses indicated that, compared to ESI youths, youths receiving FEI services reported: (1) fewer drug sales during the follow-up period, (2) getting very high or drunk on alcohol less often, (3) less marijuana use, and (4) had a lower hair test positive rate for marijuana use at follow-up interview. Further, analyses found youths completing the FEI had much better psychosocial outcomes, than youths not completing the FEI. Overall, the results provide strong, consistent evidence in support of the efficacy of the Family Empowerment Intervention. It is hoped our promising findings will encourage other jurisdictions to implement this worthwhile service.

Psychosocial, Substance Use, and Delinquency Differences among Anglo, Hispanic White, and African-American Male Youths Entering a Juvenile Assessment Center

Using data collected on nearly 4,000 Anglo, Hispanic White, and African-American male youths processed at the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center, we examine their psychosocial, substance use, and other delinquent behavior differences. In extending the results of previous research in a manner consistent with the concept of relative deviance, significant differences in these variables are found across the three groups. Implications of the findings for theory, service delivery, and policy are also considered.

Long-Term Impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention on Juvenile Offender Recidivism

Abstract We report the results of a study of the long-term impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) on recidivism among all 303 youths processed at the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center who entered the project. The FEI seeks to improve family functioning by empowering parents. Families involved in the project were randomly as signed to either receive an Extended Services Intervention (ESI) or the FEI. Families in the ESI group received monthly phone contacts and, if indicated, referral information; FEI families received three one-hour, home-based meetings per week over a 10-week period from a clinician-trained para-professional. The results provide support for the sustained effect of FEI services in reducing recidivism. Analysis indicated that youths who completed the FEI experienced marginally statistically significant, lower rates of new charges and new arrests than youths who did not complete the FEI. The results add to the findings of our earlier 12-month recidivism analyses, which provided strong evidence of the deterrence effects of the FEI.

Impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention on Youth Recidivism

Abstract We report the results of an expanded analysis of the impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention on twelve months recidivism among youths processed at the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center. Continuing, promising results were obtained. In particular, youths receiving Family Empowerment Intervention services had a reduced rate of subsequent arrests for property felonies and a new arrest in one or more of seven specific offense categories.

Long-Term Impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention on Juvenile Offender Psychosocial Functioning.

Abstract We report the results of a study of the long-term impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) on the psychosocial functioning among youths processed at the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center who entered the project between September 1, 1994 and January 31, 1998. The FEI seeks to improve family functioning by empowering parents. Families involved in the project were randomly assigned to either receive an Extended Services Intervention (ESI) or the FEI. Families in the ESI group received monthly phone contacts and, if indicated, referral information; FEI families received three one-hour, home-based meetings per week from a clinician-trained paraprofessional. The results provide support for the sustained effect of FEI services. Analysis indicated that youths who completed the FEI had statistically significant lower rates of reported getting very high or drunk on alcohol, and claimed frequency of participation in crimes against persons, drug sales, and total delinquency, at last observation, than youths not completing the FEI. The results add to the findings of our earlier 12-month psychosocial functioning outcome analyses, which provided strong evidence of the salutary effects of the FEI.