The Value of Implementing TARGET within a Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice Setting

Abstract

This article describes a nonrandomized program evaluation study of a trauma-focused intervention for youth incarcerated for felony-level offenses in a juvenile justice setting. Thirty-eight youth previously assigned to two mental health units were provided with Treatment as Usual (TAU) plus a one day trauma training for staff, while 36 youth placed on three mental health units during the same time frame were provided with the intervention, which included TAU combined with environmental modifications, additional trauma training for staff, and Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy group for youth. Results showed significant reductions in depression, youth threats toward staff, use of physical restraints, and seclusion rates for youth on the intervention program units when compared with youth on the TAU program units. The youth involved in the intervention program also reported greater hope and optimism.

Keywords:

• delinquency
• traumatic-stress
• restraint
• seclusion
• youth threats
• violence
• program implementation

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the many staff and youth involved in this study.