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2024 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Conference Report)

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Evidence-Based Services (language only)

Item 414 #1c

Item 414 #1c

Public Safety and Homeland Security
Department of Juvenile Justice

Language

Page 466, after line 54, insert:

"B. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Juvenile Justice base its rehabilitative programming on the best available evidence of effectiveness and routinely evaluate and improve its programming. To that end, the Department shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its rehabilitative programs for youth in direct care to ensure they align with national evidence-based practices, in accordance with the recommendations in the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission's 2021 report entitled "Virginia's Juvenile Justice System". The evaluation shall include an assessment of whether the Department has sufficient staffing levels to support such evidence-based programming and, if necesary, provide recommendations to address staffing shortfalls based on successful recruitment and retention practices in other states. The Department shall provide a report on its finding and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2024."



Explanation

(This amendment directs the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its rehabilitative programming for youth in direct care to ensure programs align with the best available evidence of effectiveness and that DJJ has sufficient staffing levels to support such programs. DJJ shall submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings and recommendations no later than December 1, 2024.)