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On-Demand Trainings

Key Differences Between Juvenile Competency and Adult Competency Evaluations

This on-demand professional training program is presented by Ivan Kruh, Ph.D. and Christina R. Riggs Romaine, Ph.D. In recent years, many U.S. jurisdictions have enacted statutory guidance around the conducting of competency evaluations for juvenile court cases. Evaluators with a history of conducting competency evaluations in criminal court cases may be required, recruited, or asked to assist with competency evaluations of juveniles. However, there are critical differences between these two tasks. This program reviews the types of questions, data, and analyses uniquely necessary when conducting juvenile competency evaluations as opposed to competency evaluations of adults. Grisso’s (1986) Five Question Model for conducting competency evaluations is used to structure the discussion. Within each question, participants are introduced to the ways that differences between adolescents and adults, as well as the unique procedures of the juvenile justice context, will impact what must be considered. 

This on-demand training can be accessed at: Key Differences Between Juvenile Competency and Adult Competency Evaluations

The Five Question Model to Conducting Juvenile Competency Evaluations

This on-demand professional training program is presented by Christina R. Riggs Romaine, Ph.D. and Ivan Kruh, Ph.D. Evaluation quality is enhanced when a conceptual model is used that guides data gathering, data interpretation, and the communication of findings in a manner consistent with scientific, empirical, and ethical standards. The most widely accepted model for guiding evaluations of competence to stand trial was offered by Thomas Grisso in 1986 and was applied to juvenile competence evaluations in 2005. The model lays out Functional, Causal, Contextual, Conclusory, and Remediation questions that, when considered and opined upon by evaluators in a systematic manner, yield an effective and informative evaluation and a report that can assist the court. In this program, each of the questions are explained, relevant research and forensic concepts are offered, and the process of forming opinions within each question is modeled so that participants can apply it to their evaluations.

This on-demand training can be accessed at: The Five Question Model to Conducting Juvenile Competency Evaluations

Case Conceptualization in Juvenile Competency Evaluations

This on-demand professional training program is presented by Ivan Kruh, Ph.D. and Christina L. Riggs Romaine, Ph.D. The value of an evaluation model is best appreciated through its applied use. This program focuses on applying Grisso’s (2005) Five-Question Juvenile Competence Evaluation Model to a sample juvenile competence case. Evaluation materials for the case are distributed in a manner that parallels a typical evaluation process in many settings, progressing from the initial referral through collateral information gathering and interviewing of the youth.

This on-demand training can be accessed at: Case Conceptualization in Juvenile Competency Evaluations

Conceptualizing and Applying Developmental Immaturity in Juvenile Competence Evaluations

This on-demand professional training program is presented by Ivan Kruh, Ph.D. State statutes increasingly recognize developmental immaturity as a basis for youth in juvenile court to be found incompetent. Participants learn key developmental concepts for clarity about relevant developmental issues, with a focus upon cognitive and psychosocial immaturity. The training program addresses how developmental immaturity impacts the interview process with practice interviewing in ways that accommodate various developmental profiles.

This on-demand training can be accessed at: Conceptualizing and Applying Developmental Immaturity in Juvenile Competence Evaluations

How to use the JACI

This on-demand professional training program is presented by Ivan Kruh, Ph.D. The Juvenile Adjudicative Competence Interview (JACI) currently is the only published, structured assessment tool developed specifically for juvenile CST evaluations. This half-day training provides clinicians knowledge and experience for administering and interpreting it. The JACI was developed by NYSAP professionals and is used nationwide. This training can be tailored and delivered live to particular jurisdictions, agencies and audiences.

This on-demand training can be accessed at: Developmentally Sensitive Competence Interviewing Using the JACI.