Risk Assessment and Behavioral Health Screening Project (2018)

The Risk Assessment and Behavioral Health Screening Project examined whether comprehensive implementation of a risk-needs assessment (SAVRY) in juvenile probation offices coupled with a behavioral health screening protocol (the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2 (MAYSI-2) for mental health and CRAFFT for substance use) would improve case management (e.g., disposition decisions, service allocation) and youth outcomes (e.g., recidivism, violations). The study also examined whether behavioral health services (e.g., substance use or mental health counseling, inpatient) appeared to reduce recidivism depending on characteristics of the youth receiving treatment (e.g., behavioral health issues, risk level).