Alabama (Juvenile Justice): TBI Screening

System Group

Juvenile Justice.

They started with working solely with the Department of Youth Services but switched gears after year one and focused on screening within 2 (pilot) counties involving JPOs (Junior Professional Officer) at intake.

The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (Alabama’s Protection & Advocacy program) also screens within sites that they monitor statewide and continues to do so.

Location

Jefferson County Family Court and Calhoun County JPO (Junior Professional Officer).

Purpose/Goal

Provided targeted training and intervention toward the Department of Youth Services and Juvenile Justice staff with skills to screen and identify youth with Traumatic Brain Injury, access individual needs, develop and provide appropriate interventions, educational planning, community reentry, behavioral interventions, referral and Resource Facilitation to youth and families.

What tool was used?

Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID)

When is screening done?

ADRS (Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services) 2016-2017 for pilot;

ADAP (Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program) 2016-present

What happens after screening?

Referrals for individuals and training for staff.

Who Conducted Screening?

JPOs (Junior Professional Officer) across 2 pilot counties; ADAP (Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program) advocates

Tracking

Screens submitted to Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, who tracked. Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program tracks their own screens and refers to Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services for services with positive screens.

Findings

The findings were extensive and cannot be posted on our site. Please submit a request for the report and we will respond within 24 to 48 business hours.

Information and Referrals

• Referrals were provided for those who were screened.
• Referral to Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services: TBI Pediatric, Adult, Independent Living
• Referral to AHIF: Respite, Recreation, Support Groups
• Youth Success Through Employment Practices: All diversion program youth in Calhoun County
• Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act/Pre-Employment Transition Services: All diversion program youth in Calhoun County

Trainings

• General TBI Training: AOC (Administrative Office of Courts), JPOs (Junior Professional Officer), GAL (Guardian ad Litem), Judges, DYS (Department of Youth Services) Programs Statewide
• Targeted Training: Pilot Sites and TBI Staff Screening
• Mental Health/Substance Use
• Suicide Prevention
• Youth Success Through Employment Practices
• Return to Think/Get Schooled on Concussion

Name

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Service
April Turner

E-mail

April.turner@rehab.alabama.gov

Website

www.alabama.tbi.org

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Service

Phone Number

334-293-7116

• Continued Referrals to ADRS and AHIF Programs
• Youth Success Through Employment Practices for pilot sites for ALL youth
• PreETS services through VR (Vocational Rehabilitation)
• Screening for other programs: DHR, Mental Health

No – existing state TBI advisory board (ALL Head Injury Task Force) provided oversight.

Information requested through the Alabama Disability Advocacy Program and previous Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services Project Director, Maria Crowley

Alabama Criminal & Juvenile Justice Summits

• Summary of recommendations
• Common data elements project

Crowley, M. (2017). Report: Traumatic brain injury and criminal justice/juvenile justice systems. National Association of State Head Injury Administrators.

Crowley, M., & Cash, A. (2016). Report: traumatic brain injury & juvenile justice. Waitsfield: National Association of State Head Injury Administrators.

Crowley, M., & Dettmer, J. (2018). Trends in Criminal & Juvenile Justice. Birmingham: Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Detailed information below that includes pilot partners and objectives.

• Provide extensive TBI training for DYS system and community JJ stakeholders statewide: GALs, JPOs, diversion program staff, judges, mental health JJ school staff.
• Provide JJ/CJ training for all TBI staff statewide.
• Screen for history of brain injury – OSU TBI-ID
• Collect records and conduct interview by phone.
• Abbreviated intake/summary/recommendations by neuropsychologist
• Refer to TBI system staff: Neuropsychologist, TBI counselors, Alabama Head Injury Foundation staff.
• Community Reentry Services and Supports: TBI service network, Vocational Rehabilitation, preemployment counseling, Youth Short Term Executive Plus (YSTEP) program (behavioral health intervention)

Grant Partners:
ADRS

• Coordination
• Planning with State Advisory Council

Alabama Head Injury Foundation

• Assist with Community Reentry/Resources
• Assist with training, outreach

Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program

• Identify stakeholders
• Assist with training, outreach
• Screen for TBI in associated facilities

Mt. Sinai TBI Model System/JJ El Paso Project

• Provide YSTEP Training and Consult

Center for Essential Management Services

• Project Evaluation