Funder: National Institute of Justice, Grant #2020-JX-FX-0005

Dates: 1/1/2021-12/31/2024

Project Team: Gina Vincent, PhD (PI), Jennifer Skeem, PhD (Co-I), Josh Weber, MA (Co-I), Karlie Rice, MA, Jennifer Pendleton, MA, Kayla Carew, BS, Luyi Jian, PhD (statistics consultant)

Description: Many jurisdictions use risk/needs assessments to guide key juvenile justice decisions. But little is known about whether youth’s strengths or “protective factors” reduce their risk of reoffending; how these factors can best be assessed; and the resulting implications for case planning, service delivery, and resource allocation. As policymakers' concerns about youth crime and violence grow, it’s critical that juvenile justice systems focus resources on youth who are at the highest risk of seriously reoffending. Likewise, jurisdictions must use resources efficiently to tailor supervision and service strategies to best meet these youth’s needs—and potentially increase their protective factors—in ways that promote long-term public safety.

The Youth Protective Factors Study seeks to help systems achieve this goal by answering the following key questions:

• What risk factors best predict reoffending, particularly violent reoffending, for youth of different ages?
• Which protective factors are most important for recidivism reduction?
• What services—risk-reduction and/or strengths-enhancing—are most effective in reducing violent reoffending, and how do these vary for youth of different ages?

Learn More about the Study Here