Section 1910.140  Phases of Juvenile Evaluation

Evaluation shall occur in 5 phases:

a)         Pre-trial investigation.  The initial phase of information gathering shall involve law enforcement officers, child protective services, and other professionals deemed necessary for investigative purposes and management of community safety.  Information and/or evaluations compiled before an admission of guilt are considered the least reliable and incomplete.

b)         Presentence and post-adjudication evaluation.  The evaluation focuses on dangerousness, risk, placement and amenability to treatment and must be completed prior to sentencing to identify the juvenile's level of dangerousness and risk, residential needs, level of care, and treatment referrals.

c)         Ongoing needs assessment.  Treatment planning and the juvenile's progress in treatment and compliance with supervision are reviewed on an ongoing basis.  Level of risk shall be a critical consideration at transition points such as discharge from a residential treatment center to home or transfer from a campus school to a community school and includes considerations of level of functioning, monitoring, and follow-up.

d)         Release or termination evaluation.  Prior to discharge from treatment or a residential treatment center or when the level of care changes, e.g., upon release from DOC, the evaluation is updated with a focus on community safety, reduced risk, and successful application of treatment tools.  The final evaluation report shall make recommendations for follow-up and aftercare services.

e)         Follow-up/monitoring.  Probation/parole or other supervising agents or the caseworker must continue monitoring the juvenile's level of risk and treatment needs for as long as the court retains jurisdiction.