Summary of Podcast Episode: "Building a Gold Standard Trauma-Informed Youth Justice System: Awareness, Assessment, and Case Planning"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Youth Justice Transformation in Action
• Host/Author: RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice (rfknrcjj.org)
• Episode Title: Building a Gold Standard Trauma-Informed Youth Justice System: Awareness, Assessment, and Case Planning
• Release Date: December 23, 2024

1. Introduction

Host Introduction: Jody Martin, Deputy Executive Director, and John Toole, Executive Director, welcome listeners to Season Three of Youth Justice Transformation in Action. They emphasize their mission to transform the youth justice system through partnerships aimed at improving outcomes for youth, families, and communities.

[00:07] Jody Martin: “We are on a mission to transform the youth justice system by partnering with people like you who are passionate about improving outcomes for your families and communities you serve.”

Season Overview: This season delves into critical areas shaping juvenile justice, including emerging adults, family engagement, growth-focused case management, and more. The hosts highlight the inclusion of expert interviews and real-life stories to showcase innovative practices and challenges in youth justice.

[00:27] John Toole: “Through insightful discussions, expert interviews and real life stories, we aim to shed light on innovative practices, challenges and opportunities in the realm of youth justice.”

2. Guest Introduction - Dr. Keith Cruz

Introducing Dr. Keith Cruz: Dr. Keith Cruz, Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at Fordham University, joins the episode. He leads the Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice, spearheading projects that redefine support for youth, families, and professionals in the juvenile justice system.

[01:14] Jody Martin: “Dr. Cruz is at the forefront of this work through his leadership at the center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile justice, where groundbreaking projects are redefining how we support youth, families and the professionals who serve them.”

Welcome Back: John Toole welcomes Dr. Cruz back to the podcast, acknowledging his previous contributions and ongoing partnership with the RFK National Resource Center.

[02:23] John Toole: “It's a real pleasure to have Keith back with us.”

3. The Role of CTRJJ

Mission and Goals: Dr. Cruz outlines the mission of the Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice (CTRJJ), which focuses on developing, adopting, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based trauma-informed services for youth in or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.

[05:39] Dr. Keith Cruz: “The mission of the CTRJJ is to support a comprehensive framework for developing, adopting, implementing and sustaining evidence based trauma informed services for youth who are in the juvenile justice system or who are at risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system as well.”

Key Principles:

1. Evidence-Based Practices: Grounding work in implementation science and evidence.
2. Collaborative Partnerships: Engaging youth and families as active partners.
3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Prioritizing these values in all initiatives.
4. Cross-System Stakeholder Engagement: Enhancing systemic collaboration.

[05:39] Dr. Keith Cruz: “Our work needs to be grounded in implementation science and the evidence base... prioritize racial and ethnic and identity related diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging.”

Impact Metrics: In 2024, CTRJJ reached over 7,000 individuals through various educational and consultative efforts, demonstrating a significant demand for trauma-informed services within the juvenile justice system.

[07:20] Dr. Keith Cruz: “Trauma awareness and educational resources developed by the CTRJJ faculty reached over 7,000 individuals...”

4. Importance of Trauma-Informed Approaches

Prevalence of Trauma: Dr. Cruz highlights the widespread exposure of youth in the juvenile justice system to traumatic events, emphasizing that trauma is almost universal among these youth.

[09:54] Dr. Keith Cruz: “These experiences are almost universal among youth that come into contact with the juvenile justice system.”

Statistics on Trauma:

• Average Traumatic Events: Youth report an average of four different types of traumatic event exposures.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Approximately 15% of youth in the system meet the clinical criteria for PTSD, with higher rates (18-25%) among girls.

[11:30] Dr. Keith Cruz: “About 15% of youth in the juvenile justice system... and rates for girls tend to be higher, between 18 to 25%.”

Consequences of Untreated Trauma: Untreated trauma can lead to misinterpretation of youth behavior as recalcitrance rather than as manifestations of trauma, increasing the risk of future offending.

[12:20] John Toole: “Unchecked, undiagnosed, untreated trauma can lead us... to interpret their opposition as recalcitrance...”

5. CTRJJ Initiatives for Workforce Development

Defining Trauma-Informed Care: Dr. Cruz explains that trauma-informed care is not a one-size-fits-all approach but a philosophy requiring continuous attention and cultural change within organizations.

[13:28] Dr. Keith Cruz: “It's a philosophy that requires some constant attention and caring awareness and sensitivity to the need of some culture change within our organizations.”

Four Rs of Trauma-Informed Approach (SAMHSA, 2014):

1. Realize the Impact: Understanding trauma's widespread effects.
2. Recognize the Signs: Identifying trauma symptoms in youth, families, and staff.
3. Respond Appropriately: Integrating trauma knowledge into policies and procedures.
4. Resist Retraumatization: Actively preventing retraumatizing experiences.

[13:28] Dr. Keith Cruz: “First realizes the widespread impact of trauma... recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma... responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma... actively seeks to resist retriggering those trauma experiences.”

CTRJJ Training Models:

• TCARE (Trauma-Informed Care for Residential and Educational Staff): Teaches staff self-regulation and stress management to better support youth.

  • Practical Skills: Understanding stressors, recognizing triggers, and employing SOS techniques (Slow down, Orient, Self-check).

  [18:10] Dr. Keith Cruz: “Practical skills that are taught through TCARE include... how in the moment to focus on what we call the SOS.”

• TCARE Plus: An extension of TCARE focused on supervisor training, enabling supervisors to coach and reinforce TCARE skills among their staff, ensuring sustained implementation.

  [21:15] Dr. Keith Cruz: “TCARE Plus is a model of supervisor training that further supports supervisors in coaching and reinforcing the use of TCARE skills with their supervisees.”

• RTIP (Resilience for Trauma-Informed Professionals): Developed by Dr. Patricia Kerig, RTIP provides resilience training to prevent burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress among staff.

  [25:27] Dr. Keith Cruz: “RTIP is a training curriculum that provides practical skills to promote resilience in the face of exposure to trauma response related materials.”

Addressing Staff Wellbeing: CTRJJ emphasizes that supporting staff is crucial to maintaining a trauma-informed workforce, acknowledging the high levels of stress and mental health challenges faced by both youth and staff.

[17:00] Dr. Keith Cruz: “We're asking juvenile justice staff... to respond to these increasing needs... while protecting the public and reducing delinquent behaviors... it's a challenge that our system and our staff are under as well.”

6. Integration of Trauma-Informed Care with Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model

Complementary Frameworks: Dr. Cruz discusses how trauma-informed approaches can be integrated with the RNR model to enhance case planning and reduce reoffending.

[27:47] Dr. Keith Cruz: “These two frameworks... complement one another in ways that I think that don't necessarily just jump at one as being connected with one another.”

Dynamic Interactions: Understanding trauma helps explain the presence of delinquency risk factors, such as negative peer associations or substance use, allowing for more targeted and effective interventions.

[33:00] Dr. Keith Cruz: “...traumatic event exposures can both increase the likelihood of dynamic delinquency risk factors.”

Holistic Case Planning: Incorporating trauma history into risk assessments ensures that case plans address both delinquency risks and trauma-related needs, leading to more comprehensive support for youth.

[34:00] Dr. Keith Cruz: “Our failure to think thoughtfully about how we are responding to these trauma needs... results in case plans that don't comprehensively meet the youth where they're at.”

7. Case Study: Implementation in Nebraska

Statewide Initiative: Dr. Cruz elaborates on the collaboration with Nebraska's Administrative Office of Courts and Probation to implement trauma-informed screening and assessment processes.

[39:50] Dr. Keith Cruz: “The system has relabeled this with the acronym TRACTS, which stands for Targeted and Responsive Assessment is Key to Youth Success.”

TRACTS Model:

• Behavioral Health Screening: Incorporates both general mental health and trauma-specific screenings.
• Training: Probation officers receive comprehensive training on administering and interpreting trauma screens.
• Integrated Decision-Making: Combines RNR assessments with trauma-informed insights to inform service recommendations.

[42:00] Dr. Keith Cruz: “Probation officers now have a way of fully informing youth and families about the investigation process... and guiding recommendations for services for youth as well.”

Ongoing Rollout and Evaluation: The TRACTS model is being trained in cohorts, with plans for statewide implementation within the next year. Continuous evaluation ensures the effectiveness and refinement of the process.

[45:33] Dr. Keith Cruz: “We are committed to implementing the components of TRACTS and evaluating the utility of the process as well.”

8. Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Trauma Does Not Excuse, But Explains: Dr. Cruz emphasizes that recognizing trauma helps explain delinquent behaviors without excusing them, fostering accountability alongside support.

[36:42] Dr. Keith Cruz: “Trauma does not excuse delinquent behavior. It can help to explain delinquent behavior.”

Hope and Resilience: He underscores the potential for change and recovery among youth, advocating for approaches that support positive development despite past adversities.

[49:45] Dr. Keith Cruz: “Hope is not optimism... it’s something that's rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for.”

Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Both hosts and Dr. Cruz stress the importance of ongoing training, evaluation, and adaptation to sustain trauma-informed practices within the youth justice system.

[49:45] John Toole: “Once we stop seeking to aspire for more positive change and impact, then we cease to be effective.”

9. Closing Remarks

Acknowledgments: John Toole thanks Dr. Cruz and acknowledges the contributions of colleagues like Dr. Gina Vincent at NYSAP and Dr. Julian Ford at CTRJJ for their vital work in the field.

[53:12] John Toole: “I want to thank your colleague Dr. Gina Vincent at NYSAP and Dr. Julian Ford at the CTRJJ...”

Upcoming Events: Jody Martin announces the upcoming Season Four and the Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium scheduled for June 18-20, 2025, in San Diego, California.

[53:12] Jody Martin: “On June 18th through 20th, 2025, the RFK National Resource center is hosting the Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium in San Diego, California.”

Contact Information: Listeners are encouraged to visit rfknrcjj.org and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter for more resources and updates.

Notable Quotes:

• Jody Martin [00:07]: “We are on a mission to transform the youth justice system by partnering with people like you who are passionate about improving outcomes for your families and communities you serve.”

• Dr. Keith Cruz [05:39]: “Our work needs to be grounded in implementation science and the evidence base... prioritize racial and ethnic and identity related diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging.”

• Dr. Keith Cruz [09:54]: “These experiences are almost universal among youth that come into contact with the juvenile justice system.”

• John Toole [12:20]: “Unchecked, undiagnosed, untreated trauma can lead us... to interpret their opposition as recalcitrance...”

• Dr. Keith Cruz [13:28]: “It's a philosophy that requires some constant attention and caring awareness and sensitivity to the need of some culture change within our organizations.”

• Dr. Keith Cruz [27:47]: “These two frameworks... complement one another in ways that I think that don't necessarily just jump at one as being connected with one another.”

• Dr. Keith Cruz [38:49]: “We are committed to better service engagement and service delivery for youth.”

Conclusion: This episode of Youth Justice Transformation in Action provides an in-depth exploration of building a trauma-informed youth justice system. Through Dr. Keith Cruz’s insights, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of trauma awareness, assessment, and integrated case planning in reducing reoffending and improving outcomes for youth and their families. The practical implementation examples, particularly the statewide initiative in Nebraska, underscore the feasibility and impact of adopting trauma-informed practices within the juvenile justice framework.