NYSAP: Evaluating Juveniles for Competency to Proceed in Delinquency Matters
20 Hours | 20 CEs
This on-demand professional training program on Evaluating Juveniles for Competency to Proceed in Delinquency Matters is presented by Ivan Kruh, PhD, and Christina L. Riggs Romaine, PhD, in partnership with the National Youth Screening & Assessment Partners (NYSAP).
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the competence to proceed of juveniles being adjudicated in juvenile courts. This program focuses on conducting juvenile adjudicative competence evaluations that meet best practice standards.
The training covers foundational issues, including the evolution of legislation regarding juvenile competence and differences in legislation across states. The manner in which these legal standards can be translated into measurable forensic concepts is discussed, with a focus on how these concepts differ between juvenile and adult cases. The current empirical literature relevant to juvenile adjudicative competence is reviewed, with a particular focus on the intersection of adolescent development and court-related functioning.
All of this background set the stage for a detailed discussion of conducting juvenile adjudicative competence evaluations. Preparation for the evaluation and the data collection process is examined, with a particular focus on developmentally sensitive competence interviewing using the Juvenile Adjudicative Competency Interview (JACI), the role of available forensic assessment instruments in juvenile adjudicative competence evaluations, and the importance of third-party corroboration.
Methods for interpretation and integration of data are presented, as well as strategies for effective communication of findings. Throughout this discussion, there is a focus on sensitivity to functional limitations based on normal child development and developmental psychopathology. Juvenile competence remediation is also highlighted. A sample case worked through by participants with structured feedback is used to highlight relevant issues, and the program includes additional activities to assist participants in honing their interviewing, record reviewing, and data interpretation skills.
Program outline:
- Introductions and Technology Housekeeping
- Defining Juvenile Competency to Proceed (JCTP)
- Developmental Issues
- Foundational Concepts to Guide Evaluations
- Evaluation Preparation
- Data Collection
- Forming Opinions
- Wrapping Up, Training Evaluations, Q and A
Intended Audience
This on-demand professional training program is intended for mental health and other allied professionals
Experience Level
This on-demand professional training program is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level clinicians.
CE / CPD Credit
APA, ASWB, CPA, NBCC Click here for state and other regional board approvals.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program you will be able to:
Describe competency to proceed as it is typically defined in juvenile court matters
Describe why competency to proceed is a relatively new and still evolving concern in juvenile court matters
Describe strategies for using local statutes to guide practice when conducting evaluations of juveniles for competency to proceed
Describe the unique role of developmental immaturity as a potential cause of weaknesses in juvenile competency to proceed evaluations
Describe strategies for conducting developmentally sensitive juvenile competency evaluations
Describe a thoughtful approach to considering developmental psychopathology in evaluations of juveniles for competency to proceed
Describe a five question model for conducting juvenile competency to proceed evaluations
Describe the Juvenile Adjudicative Competency Interview (JACI) as a method for collecting data relevant to juvenile competency to proceed evaluations
Describe the didactic training provided for application to a sample evaluation case
Presented By
Ivan Kruh, PhD
Ivan Kruh received his PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Psychology & Law from the University of Alabama in 1998 and subsequently completed fellowship training in forensic psychology through the University of Washington. For ten years, he was the Director of Juvenile Forensic Mental...
Presented By
Christina L. Riggs Romaine, PhD
Dr. Christina L. Riggs Romaine received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a Forensic concentration from Drexel University. She worked as an evaluator, trainer, and service provider in pre- and post-adjudication juvenile justice facilities, before practicing as a full-time forensic evaluator in t...
Curriculum
1. Introduction and Foundations
2. Developmental Foundations
3. Interviewing Practice Activity
4. Foundational Concepts for Evaluation
5. Clinical and Legal Foundations
6. Preparing for Evaluation
7. Data Collection and Interpretation
8. Interviewing the Youth
9. Psychological Testing and Competency Abilities
10. JACI Role-Play and Interpretation
Develop a Specialty Area of Practice
Transforming mental health professionals into experts
Expert Instructors
Professional training developed and delivered by the field's leading experts
CE Credit
Earn CE credit for meaningful professional training that will elevate your practice
Convenience & Flexibility
Learn at your own pace, from wherever you might be!
Program Partner
National Youth Screening & Assessment Partners
The National Youth Screening & Assessment Partners (NYSAP) is a technical assistance and research group dedicated to helping juvenile justice and related programs nationwide. Since 2000, NYSAP has assisted juvenile justice systems to make decisions about adolescents that are consistent with youths’ health and positive development and with the community’s interests by helping systems use reliable, evidence-based methods for screening and assessment. We provide training, technical assistance, and quality implementation services to agencies and programs in the areas of risk screening and risk-needs assessment, behavioral health screening, and competence to stand trial evaluations.
NYSAP professionals have played a key role for 25 years in research on juveniles’ competence to stand trial and in developing juvenile competence standards for forensic clinical practice, law, and policy. In response to the growing demand for juvenile competence evaluations nationally, we provide consultation to assist agencies in developing or refining their juvenile competence service delivery system, as well as creating and conducting quality assurance procedures. We train clinicians and juvenile justice stakeholders (e.g., judges, attorneys, and community partners) in practice standards for conducting high-quality juvenile competence evaluations.
