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Models for Change: Systems Reform in Juvenile Justice Initiative System Integration to Improve Outcomes for Dually Involved Youth Newton County, Georgia

NCJ Number
245619
Date Published
2013
Length
229 pages
Annotation
This document provides an overview of 15 months of the Newton County, Georgia Multi-System Reform Initiative (MSRI) to improve outcomes for dually involved youth.
Abstract
Newton County, Georgia was selected as one of four sites in the nation to participate in the Multi-System Reform Initiative (MSRI) Initiative which strives to improve outcomes for youth dually involved in both juvenile justice and child welfare systems. The project was launched in May, 2012. Over the next 15 months the consultants provided expert guidance, sound leadership and served as a sounding board as the Newton County collaborative worked through the many phases of the project: mobilization and governance development; definition of target population and desired outcomes; identification of priority practices; staff training; launch and data collection. The results show that while it is premature to declare this Initiative a success in Newton County, by focusing on improving outcomes for Georgia's children and youth, it is anticipated that the result will be a solid, consistent approach to helping local communities, child advocacy groups, and families find solutions to the never ending challenge of keeping children safe and sound. Attachments