Pennsylvania (Juvenile Justice): TBI Screening

System Group

Juvenile Justice

Location

Two Juvenile Detention Centers in Bucks and Montgomery counties as well as the Loysville Youth Development Center and at Butler County Juvenile Probation

Purpose/Goal

The primary goal for this project was to identify youth with history of brain injury; determine their neurocognitive barriers to successful re-entry; and create release plans including connections to appropriate resources. The project aimed at providing education about brain injury and its impact on youth in the juvenile justice system, to identify youth with cognitive impairment due to brain injury, and to connect those youth with community-based resources to address their needs upon return to the community. (Myers, Nagele, Schmidt, & Vaccaro, 2021)

What tool was used?

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

When is screening done?

Upon entry into the detention centers. NeuroResource Facilitators contacted parents/guardians to explain the project and obtain consent to screen child for brain injury (Myers, Nagele, Schmidt, & Vaccaro, 2021).

What happens after screening?

Once a youth was identified as having a history of an event or events that could have resulted in brain injury, parents/guardians were asked to consent to neurocognitive testing and the release of test results to potential service providers and resources. (Myers, Nagele, Schmidt, & Vaccaro, 2021)

Who Conducted Screening?

NeuroResource Facilitator conducted screening. (NRF)

Tracking

Information on the method of tracking unavailable.

Findings

Results indicated that 49% had history of brain injury, with an average of 2.59 injuries per youth. 62% of injuries did not involve a loss of consciousness, and two-thirds never sought treatment for their injury. A history of repetitive blows to the head was also common, and often caused by violence. 147 youth were subsequently evaluated for cognitive impairment. 57% showed evidence of significant cognitive impairment, with the most common impairments being working memory, behavioral regulation, and delayed recall of novel information. (Myers, Nagele, Schmidt, & Vaccaro, 2021)

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

After testing, the project team reviewed the findings to determine if the youth would be likely to have ongoing cognitive problems as a result of their injuries as well as to ascertain the appropriate resource(s) to address the needs identified.

Potential resources included the Pennsylvania BrainSTEPS School Re-entry Program; the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for Early Reach Services, Pre-employment Transition Services or for Supported Employment; brain injury specific medical assessment or rehabilitation, and other long-term services and supports.

The NRF followed-up with these connections to ensure that the resources were in place whenever possible, in other words, a referral without follow-up is not sufficient with people who have cognitive impairments. These resources were listed in the report even if youth were going to a placement out of the area, so that probation could follow-up with these recommendations in the future.

(Myers, Nagele, Schmidt, & Vaccaro, 2021)

Trainings

Training and education, which BIAPA provided to staff about TBI, its impacts in the juvenile justice setting and available resources. BIAPA also educates youth about TBI and learning strategies through injury education and support groups. (Goodwin & Teigen, 2019)

Name

Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania

E-mail

admin@biapa.org

Website

Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania

Phone Number

833-242-7248

BIAPA and DOH adopted several strategies to sustain—and build upon—the education, training and consultation project. To promote long-term sustainability, project partners adopted a range of strategies by 2018, such as:

• Conducting TBI research and disseminating results to state and national audiences.
• Training nurses to take over screening if BIAPA no longer has funding to support screening. By 2018, screening had been incorporated within the nursing roles at one juvenile detention facility.
• Focusing on youth in probation rather than at detention sites.
• Providing technical assistance and guidance to support other interested counties.

(Goodwin & Teigen, 2019)

Information unavailable.

Information acquired through the Pennsylvania Department of Health – Bureau of Family Health

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.

Myers, J., Nagele, D., Schmidt, M., & Vaccaro, M. (2021). Brain Injury in Justice-Involved Youth: Findings and Implications for Juvenile Service Professionals. Journal of Applied Juvenile Justice Services, 73-88. doi:10.52935/21.1417512.06