Juvenile Justice

Youth in Washington State encounter a myriad of challenges and barriers as they navigate the state’s juvenile justice system and various social service systems. Often, juvenile offenders have a history of family strain, parental incarceration, school failure, unemployment, and housing instability or poverty. Recognizing this, the SAJE Center resolves to accelerate justice for Washington State’s most vulnerable youth populations. SAJE actively seeks collaborations with local organizations, advocacy groups, legislatures, and researchers who are best positioned to center the needs and experiences of youth and their communities. Please explore this page to learn more about SAJE’s specific projects committed to accelerating juvenile justice.

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Housing Stability for Youth in Courts (H-SYNC)
Housing Stability for Youth in Courts (H-SYNC)

A recent growth of research has highlighted the significant overlap of justice-involved and homeless youth population. Approximately 63% of homeless youth have experienced law enforcement contact, according to the Administration of Children, Youth, and Families, and a 2015 report by Columbia Legal Services indicated that over 30% of justice-involved youth have experienced homelessness or unstable housing.

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Opportunity Based Probation (OBP) Evaluation
Opportunity Based Probation (OBP) Evaluation

OBP expands upon adolescent development research by leveraging adolescents’ drive towards independence and their heightened receptivity to rewards. In collaboration with probation officers, youth create meaningful goals and incentives that reward the development of prosocial behavior.

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National Evaluation of Youth Risk Assessments
National Evaluation of Youth Risk Assessments

With the help of SAJE researchers, the National Evaluation of Youth Risk Assessments will identify how the assessment of youth involved in the juvenile justice system varies by state and jurisdiction.

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Girls Only Active Learning (GOAL)
Girls Only Active Learning (GOAL)

The Girls Only Active Learning (GOAL) program utilizes an evidenced-based, cognitive-behavioral approach to develop prosocial skills and disrupt risky behavior amongst female youth.

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Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) Validation
Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) Validation

As an assessment metric, the PACT better equips the juvenile justice system with
accurate information to the risks and needs of youth entering into the system.

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King County Juvenile Court Warrant Prevention Program Evaluation
King County Juvenile Court Warrant Prevention Program Evaluation

The WPP leverages relationships between community established networks of outreach case workers and court involved youth, with the aim of reducing the number of failure-to- appear warrants (FTA) issued for such youth during arraignment and case setting hearings.

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Family Intervention and Restorative Services (FIRS) Center
Family Intervention and Restorative Services (FIRS) Center

King County introduced a new approach to processing juvenile domestic violence incidences in January of 2016. This new approach, known as Family Intervention and Restorative Services (FIRS), establishes an alternative to criminal processing for youth who commit domestic violence related offenses.

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Evidence Based Practice (EBP) Evaluation
Evidence Based Practice (EBP) Evaluation

The Washington State Community Juvenile Accountability Act (CJAA) instructs a regular analysis of Evidenced Based Programs (EBPs) by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, which produces meta-analytical reports delineating the cost-benefits of employing EBPs in the juvenile justice probation system

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