LA County 241.1 Cases: An LA County 241.1 Cases: An Overview of Characteristics & Overview of Characteristics &

Disposition OutcomesDisposition OutcomesDenise C. Herz, Ph.D.Denise C. Herz, Ph.D.

California State University—Los AngelesCalifornia State University—Los AngelesSchool of Criminal Justice & CriminalisticsSchool of Criminal Justice & Criminalistics

323-343-4624323-343-4624dherz@calstatela.edudherz@calstatela.edu

&&Joseph P. Ryan, Ph.D.Joseph P. Ryan, Ph.D.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Social WorkSchool of Social Work

Children and Family Research CenterChildren and Family Research Center

Study Background & OverviewStudy Background & OverviewBegan meeting with the Children’s Law Center in Winter Began meeting with the Children’s Law Center in Winter 2004 to discuss possible research topics related to 2004 to discuss possible research topics related to crossover youthcrossover youthDiscussions were an extension of a University/ Discussions were an extension of a University/ Dependency Court PartnershipDependency Court PartnershipAs a result of these discussions:As a result of these discussions:

A clear understanding of the processing of crossover youth was A clear understanding of the processing of crossover youth was developed;developed;

A collaborative research agenda was developed.A collaborative research agenda was developed.

Purpose of Current Study: Purpose of Current Study: What are the characteristics of 241 (crossover) youths?What are the characteristics of 241 (crossover) youths? How are these characteristics related to outcomes in the 241 How are these characteristics related to outcomes in the 241

process?process?

Overview of Crossover Process in Overview of Crossover Process in Los Angeles CountyLos Angeles County

After committing delinquency, a dependent youth After committing delinquency, a dependent youth becomes a 241.1 case per California statute becomes a 241.1 case per California statute

Petition is filedPetition is filed Special 241.1 adjudication hearing process is heldSpecial 241.1 adjudication hearing process is held

All cases receive a joint assessment by Probation & the All cases receive a joint assessment by Probation & the Department of Children & Family Services as part of a Department of Children & Family Services as part of a 241.1 hearing process241.1 hearing processThis assessment is then used by the court to determine This assessment is then used by the court to determine one of the following outcomes (replaces 241 status):one of the following outcomes (replaces 241 status):

Dismissal of ChargesDismissal of Charges Receive Informal Probation with Primary Custody by DCFSReceive Informal Probation with Primary Custody by DCFS Receive Further Processing in the Delinquency CourtReceive Further Processing in the Delinquency Court

Under current California law, the youth may not be under Under current California law, the youth may not be under the jurisdiction of both systems concurrentlythe jurisdiction of both systems concurrently

Study MethodologyStudy Methodology

Case file data extraction on all 241.1 cases in Case file data extraction on all 241.1 cases in which a dependent youth had crossed over into which a dependent youth had crossed over into delinquency between Apr. 1 & Dec. 31, 2004delinquency between Apr. 1 & Dec. 31, 2004

Data were coded from the joint assessment Data were coded from the joint assessment reports required for the 241.1 Hearing Processreports required for the 241.1 Hearing Process

In total, the population of cases=575 casesIn total, the population of cases=575 cases NOTE: Cases represent individual offenders (multiple NOTE: Cases represent individual offenders (multiple

referrals reduced to last referral within the timeframe)referrals reduced to last referral within the timeframe)

What Are the Characteristics of What Are the Characteristics of 241.1 Youth?241.1 Youth?

General CharacteristicsGeneral Characteristics(N=575)(N=575)

Demographic InformationDemographic Information

FemaleFemale 33%33%

Average AgeAverage Age 15.7315.73

African-American African-American 63%63%

HispanicHispanic 28%28%

CaucasianCaucasian 8%8%

School StatusSchool Status

EnrolledEnrolled 76%76%

Poor Attendance or TruantPoor Attendance or Truant 45%45%

Not EnrolledNot Enrolled 24%24%

Living SituationLiving Situation(N=575)(N=575)

Living Situation at Time of ArrestLiving Situation at Time of Arrest

Living at HomeLiving at Home 13%13%

Living with RelativeLiving with Relative 23%23%

Living in Foster CareLiving in Foster Care 23%23%

Living in Group HomeLiving in Group Home 40%40%

Detained at Juvenile Hall for Current OffenseDetained at Juvenile Hall for Current Offense 54%54%

Current Offense was Related to PlacementCurrent Offense was Related to Placement 31%31%

Charge/History Information Charge/History Information (N=575)(N=575)

Current Offense Charge*Current Offense Charge*

Violent OffenseViolent Offense 40%40%

Assault—64%; Robbery—26%Assault—64%; Robbery—26%

Property OffenseProperty Offense 28%28%

Burglary—48%Burglary—48%

Other OffenseOther Offense 26%26%

Warrant—23%; Vandalism—20%; Threats—16%Warrant—23%; Vandalism—20%; Threats—16%

Alcohol/Drug Offense Alcohol/Drug Offense 6%6%

Other Information:Other Information:

Previous Contact with CJ/JJ SystemPrevious Contact with CJ/JJ System 68%68%*Most serious charge for which the youth was adjudicated. It is important to note that charge *Most serious charge for which the youth was adjudicated. It is important to note that charge description is not an accurate portrayal of actual event in many cases. For example, throwing description is not an accurate portrayal of actual event in many cases. For example, throwing an unripe avocado would often be charged as an assault. Unfortunately, this aspect of an unripe avocado would often be charged as an assault. Unfortunately, this aspect of charging was difficult to capture across all cases; consequently, we have no measure of it. charging was difficult to capture across all cases; consequently, we have no measure of it.

Placement History (N=575)Placement History (N=575)

Avg. Length of Stay in Avg. Length of Stay in

Dependency CourtDependency Court

7.38 Years7.38 Years

(5.30)(5.30)

Youth Placed in at Least One Youth Placed in at Least One PlacementPlacement 98%98%

Average No.Average No.

Of PlacementsOf Placements

RelativeRelative 63%63% 1.851.85

Foster CareFoster Care 72%72% 3.663.66

Group HomeGroup Home 62%62% 3.223.22

Residential Treatment PlacementResidential Treatment Placement 18%18% 2.712.71

How Do 241.1 Cases How Do 241.1 Cases Compare to All DCFS Compare to All DCFS

Cases?Cases?

Comparisons Across AgeComparisons Across Age

 All DCFSN=37,885

All 241N=574

241/DCFS

n % n % %

0-9 18173 48% 1 0% 0%

10 to 13 8685 23% 78 14% 1%

14 to 15 4854 13% 235 41% 5%

16 to 17 4424 12% 246 43% 6%

18+ 1749 5% 14 2% 1%Cautionary Note about Additional Placement, Gender, and Race/Ethnicity

Comparisons: Due the data currently available from DCFS, comparisons are made to all cases including 0-9 year olds. The proportion would

probably differ in many categories if totals were limited to 10+ year olds.

Comparisons Across PlacementComparisons Across Placement

 All DCFSn=26,167

All 241n=513

241/DCFS

n % n %

Relative Home 11,238 43% 131 26% 1%

Foster Care Placement 8,875 34% 130 25% 1%

Group Home 1,989 8% 229 45% 12%

Guardian Home 2,530 10% 16 3% 1%

Adoptive Home 1,323 5%      

Other 212 1% 7 1% 3%

Totals 26,167 100% 513 100% 2%

Comparisons Across GenderComparisons Across Gender

 All DCFSN=37,885

All 241N=575

241/DCFS

n % n %

Male 18,851 50% 385 67% 2%

Female 19,034 50% 190 33% 1%

Totals 37,885 100% 575 100% 2%

Comparisons Across Comparisons Across Race/EthnicityRace/Ethnicity

 All DCFSN=37,885

All 241N=575

241/DCFS

  n % n % %

White 5402 14% 44 8% 1%

Hispanic 17073 45% 161 28% 1%

African American 13892 37% 365 63% 3%

Asian/Pacific Islander 941 2% 4 1% 0%

American Indian 201 1%      

Filipino 180 0%      

Other 196 1% 1 0% 1%

Totals 37885 100% 575 100% 2%

What is the Relationship What is the Relationship between 241.1 Youth between 241.1 Youth

Characteristics & Characteristics & Disposition?Disposition?

Summary of Disposition Outcomes Summary of Disposition Outcomes (n=521)(n=521)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Dismissed(n=42)

InformalProb.

(n=322)

Delinq-602(n=157)

Recommendation

Disposition

School Attendance & Disposition School Attendance & Disposition (N=521)(N=521)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

No Problem Truant/PoorAttendance

Dismiss (n=42)

Informal (n=322)

620 (n=157)

Detention & Disposition (N=521)Detention & Disposition (N=521)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Not Detained Detained

Dismiss (n=42)

Informal (n=322)

602 (n=157)

Most Serious Charge & Disposition Most Serious Charge & Disposition (N=521)(N=521)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Other Warr/Vop AOD Prop Viol

MH/SA Problems & Disposition MH/SA Problems & Disposition (N=521)(N=521)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

None MH Only SA Only BothMH/SA

Dismiss (n=42)

Informal (n=322)

602 (n=157)

Disposition Outcomes by Disposition Outcomes by Resiliency Scores*Resiliency Scores*

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2

Developing an Offender ContinuumDeveloping an Offender Continuum

Risk LevelRisk Level Need LevelNeed Level nn %% Category %Category %

None/LowNone/Low None/LowNone/Low 9898 1717 47%47%

““ Mod to HighMod to High 103103 1818

““ HighHigh 7070 1212

Mod to HighMod to High None/LowNone/Low 4141 77 41%41%

““ Mod to HighMod to High 9292 1616

““ HighHigh 104104 1818

HighHigh None/LowNone/Low 11 11 12%12%

““ Mod to HighMod to High 2020 33

““ HighHigh 4646 1818

*Need Level: None/Low=No Problem or Substance Use; Mod/High=MH or SA Problem; *Need Level: None/Low=No Problem or Substance Use; Mod/High=MH or SA Problem; High=Co-Occurring ProblemsHigh=Co-Occurring Problems

Implications for System ReformImplications for System Reform

What role can AB 129 play in improving the implementation of best What role can AB 129 play in improving the implementation of best practice?practice?

Recognition of a continuum of offenders based on risk and needsRecognition of a continuum of offenders based on risk and needs Development of coordinated case development and oversight by DCFS Development of coordinated case development and oversight by DCFS

& Probation& ProbationOne question that must be addressed given the level of risk found in these One question that must be addressed given the level of risk found in these youth’s lives is: To what extent accountability interventions are being used youth’s lives is: To what extent accountability interventions are being used in informal responses?in informal responses?

Not addressing the behavior problem may be harming (putting youth at Not addressing the behavior problem may be harming (putting youth at higher risk for 602 outcomes in the future) these youth more than higher risk for 602 outcomes in the future) these youth more than helping themhelping them

Assessing levels of risk and need offers the opportunity to identify a Assessing levels of risk and need offers the opportunity to identify a risk/need continuum of offenders risk/need continuum of offenders

The largest percentage of offenders fall within the low spectrum of risks and needThe largest percentage of offenders fall within the low spectrum of risks and need A noticeable portion also fall within the moderate to high categoriesA noticeable portion also fall within the moderate to high categories Small percentages fall within the high risk and need categories, but these are the Small percentages fall within the high risk and need categories, but these are the

offenders who will also potentially cause the most harm to self and others in the offenders who will also potentially cause the most harm to self and others in the long-runlong-run

Substance abuse problems require attention at all levels of riskSubstance abuse problems require attention at all levels of risk