Colorado (Juvenile & Criminal Justice: Jail, Probation, Recovery Courts, Veterans): TBI Screening

System Group

County Jails,

Problem Solving Court,
-(Drug & Veteran),

Probation Setting
– (Adult Sex Offender, Adult Female Population, Adult Persistent Mental Illness and Juvenile Probation)

State operated Division of Youth Correction Sites

Location

• Arapahoe County Probation,
• Boulder County Jail (JBBS & JET Units),
• Denver County Jail (RISE),
• Denver County Jail (Transition Unit),
• Larimer County Jail,
• Adams County Probation (Female Offender),
• Adams County Probation (Veterans),
• Adams Count Probation (Sex Offenders),
• Denver Drug Court,
• Denver Juvenile Probation,
• Jefferson County Recovery Court,
• Jefferson County Juvenile Probation

Purpose/Goal

• The purpose of Colorado’s pilot was to address five areas:
  Screen for lifetime history of brain injury – modified Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID),
• Screen for neuropsychological impairment,
• Refer to community-based case management services,
• Ensure a well-trained criminal justice workforce,
• Provide psycho-educational training for inmate/probationer.

What tool was used?

Modified Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID). Screen for neuropsychological impairment.

When is screening done?

At the time of entry into the system.

What happens after screening?

Individuals in designated sites who are screened positive based on established criteria are then referred by the site to student clinicians from the University of Denver for a neuropsychological screen. With the exception of the Division of Youth Corrections, who conducts all aspects of screening, the neuropsychological screen includes: structured interview, Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Measure (ANAM), and three effort test. The Division of Youth Corrections has its own on-site psychologist and a neuropsychologist and, therefore, has the capacity to conduct neuropsychological screens and evaluations when indicated. If the team deems it necessary the juvenile may also be referred internally for a full neuropsychological evaluation. After a youth is referred for case management support, the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado is conducting the Mayo Portland Assessment Inventory Participation Index to measure function and progress.

Who Conducted Screening?

Colorado has designated specific units within the county jails, specific probation sites, and the Division of Youth Corrections’ sites to conduct screening for lifetime history of brain injury. Everyone in these identified sites is screened by correctional staff at the sites for lifetime history of brain injury.

Tracking

Colorado held some data in REDCap.

Data was also retrieved from the Colorado Division of Probation Services database.

Findings

Report findings were extensive and cannot be added as PDF’s to our site. Please submit a request at the link above and we will send the report(s) via email within 24-48 business hours.

Information and Referrals

All individuals referred can access I&R without needing to apply for formalized case management (resource facilitation). The Colorado Brain Injury Alliance has both a phone based and in-person case management teams that work collaboratively with the client. Colorado’s comprehensive case management, provided by the state Alliance, includes intake/assessment, support plan development and implementation and pro-active follow up, and for youth, also education consultation. The Colorado Brain Injury Alliance under contract with the state brain injury program provides general information about brain injury, resources and refers individuals as warranted. If the needs become consistent, then the individual will be moved into the more formalized case management supports.

SEE REFERENCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

Trainings

In Colorado the Department of Education (CDE) Brain Injury Consultants provides training for staff involved with youth, similar to training provided to educators and other audiences. The Colorado TBI Model is a designed a virtual training on cognitive screening batteries for behavioral health professionals.

The Colorado brain injury program MINDSOURCE – Brain Injury Network has sought to answer the question of  “now what?” which comes up in the justice setting with relation to brain injury. MINDSOURCE has tried to answer this question through the development and implementation of a best practice screening, support, and referral protocol.

The Colorado TBI Model has been tested in the probation environment and is applicable throughout the justice system. The Colorado TBI Model includes a curriculum for this purpose and a web-based tool for criminal justice and mental health personnel. The toolkit provides an overview of brain injury, screening, assessment, and support strategies.

SEE REFERENCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

Name

Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado

MINDSOURCE, Brain Injury Network

E-mail

BIACO: info@BIAColorado.org

Website

BIACO: https://biacolorado.org/

MINDSOURCE: https://mindsourcecolorado.org/

Phone Number

BIACO: 303-355-9969

MINDSOURCE: 720-591-6793

Yes. The pilot has paved the way for legislation at the state level to be passed for TBI screenings to occur at the prison level which will focus on women’s correctional. This pilot has not started yet.

Yes, the Colorado Brain Injury Program created an advisory team that is comprised of representatives from each target sites, representation from partners, and subject matter experts in screening, assessment and brain injury. This group met quarterly. The Advisory Team also conducted focus groups with all the target sites and with clinicians assisting with screening.

Information was acquired through online published reports from the University of Denver, Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, MINDSOURCE and interviewing individuals who were present and critical in developing and implementing this project.

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

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

Goodwin, K., & Teigen, A. (2019). State approaches for addressing traumatic brain injuries in the juvenile justice system. Washington D.C.: National Conference of State Legislatures.

Gorgens, K., Meyer, L., & Dettmer, J. (August 2020). Reducing Recidivism for Justice-Involved Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (Report No. 19-05A). Denver, CO: Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab at the University of Denver.

Colorado also uses the self-reporting Symptoms Questionnaire to identify any areas where an individual may be experiencing difficulties in daily functioning. Please use references to seek more information on their pilot.