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Date: November 25, 2024 Mon
Time: 8:03 pm
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Results for problem solving courts (nebraska, u.s.)
1 results foundAuthor: University of Nebraska. Public Policy Center Title: Evaluation of Nebraska’s Probation Problem Solving Courts Summary: Eight Nebraska problem solving courts were examined for this evaluation: three adult drug courts, four juvenile drug courts, and one young adult problem solving court. The key questions intended to be addressed through this evaluation included the following: 1. To what extent do problem-solving courts serve appropriate persons, specifically in relation to risk classification? 2. How do the demographic characteristics of participants compare to the general population and other offenders? 3. To what extent do policies and procedures adhere to the proposed problem solving court rules 4. How do policies and procedures compare across courts? 5. What are possible areas of improvement, particularly in court procedures, treatment and ongoing program evaluation? 6. What are the participant outcomes, and to what extent are these outcomes associated with participant characteristics and program elements? The evaluation used a variety of methods to answer these questions including a review of the literature and Nebraska problem solving court documentation, courtroom observations, focus groups and interviews, and analysis of data from the state probation information system. Quantitative information for this study was collected for the time period January 2006 through June 2007. Information about policies, practices and perceptions about problem solving court operations was collected during the summer of 2007. Therefore, this evaluation provides analysis for a particular period of time and does not reflect subsequent changes in problem solving courts. Consistent with national trends, the majority of Nebraska problem solving court participants are classified as requiring a high level of community supervision. However, there were limited data available to answer this question. There were also limited data available to make a determination about what factors affect success in problem solving courts. It is recommended that data system improvements be developed to help answer these and other key policy questions. There were mixed results regarding whether there are disparities with regard to race and ethnicity of court participants as compared to the general population of the communities they serve. The data available was limited and did not indicate disparities; however, this likely was the result of small sample size. Stakeholders identified potential selection biases that could be addressed through more equitable selection processes. A review of written court policies and procedures revealed disparities between existing documented practices of the eight courts and the proposed court rules for problem solving courts. To conform to the proposed rules, enhancements in documentation are required for most courts. Although currently problem solving courts are standardizing their policies and procedures, at the time of this study there were differences in policies and procedures across the eight problem solving courts reflecting the individual strengths and challenges faced by each. Many of the courts’ practices are known by the team members, but are not well documented in policies and procedures. It is recommended that the combined knowledge and experience of the courts be captured in writing more clearly to help future team members and participants to clearly understand each court’s target population, selection processes, instruments used in the selection process, and activities built into the phases of the problem solving court process. Similar to other evaluations of problem solving courts in Nebraska, this evaluation recommends developing documentation that clearly articulates standards for selecting participants in each problem solving court. The preliminary results of this evaluation also yielded several additional findings that can be used as a basis for enhancing Nebraska’s problem solving courts. Problem solving courts in Nebraska generally have strong, dedicated teams that are critical to the success of the courts. It is recommended that team functioning be enhanced through on-going training, team building and standardized orientation for new members. Court procedures strongly influence participant success. Recommendations include enhanced attention to practices in the courtroom such as voice amplification and regular use of trained interpreters. Documenting courtroom practices via standardized orientation material may help participants, their families, team members and communities understand judicial expectations in a courtroom. The role and expectations of treatment in the problem solving court process can be better articulated. It is recommended that expectations about the use of evidence based practices by treatment providers be articulated in writing along with clear expectations about how providers should report progress in treatment as part of the problem solving court process. Participants can be better served by developing the capacity for assessment and treatment of mental health disorders for participants with co-occurring disorders. The current state level data system has serious limitations for collecting the types of information useful for informing policy. Regular generation of reports via an integrated information system would make it possible to track and compare problem solving court activities. It is more likely that errors or omissions in court reporting data will be caught early if reports are meaningful to local courts and relied upon by statewide administrators. Standardized exit interviews of participants exiting problem solving courts are recommended as a mechanism for documenting challenges and successes in local court processes. Details: Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska, Public Policy Center, 2008. 113p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 27, 2013 at: http://ppc.unl.edu/userfiles/file/Documents/projects/DrugCourtEvaluation/EvaluationofNebraska'sProbationProblemSolvingCourts.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://ppc.unl.edu/userfiles/file/Documents/projects/DrugCourtEvaluation/EvaluationofNebraska'sProbationProblemSolvingCourts.pdf Shelf Number: 127740 Keywords: Drug CourtsProbationProbationersProblem Solving Courts (Nebraska, U.S.) |