Bill > HB1248

This bill aims to improve juvenile justice programs by establishing ongoing evaluation and assessment processes. Specifically, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) and the University of Washington Evidence-Based Practice Institute are tasked with preparing and periodically updating an inventory of evidence-based, research-based, and promising prevention and intervention services. When identifying these services, they must consider available systematic assessments of program efficacy and cost-effectiveness, and attempt to use valid and reliable evidence. The departments of Social and Health Services and Children, Youth, and Families are required to prioritize assessing promising practices with the goal of increasing the number of practices that meet evidence-based standards. A key new provision mandates that WSIPP conduct biennial outcome evaluations of juvenile justice programs identified as evidence-based and approved for block grant funding. These evaluations will prioritize programs based on the time since their last evaluation and the number of participating juveniles, with a specific focus on recidivism and including a benefit-cost analysis. This approach aims to ensure that juvenile justice programs are continually assessed and improved to maximize their effectiveness in rehabilitating young offenders.