FY 2022 Iowa SJS Program

The Iowa Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning (CJJP) is using FY22 SJS funds for two Core Capacity projects and two Special Emphasis projects. 

The first Core Capacity project will enhance the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP).   The Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol or “SPEP™” is a validated, data-driven assessment scheme for determining the effectiveness of an intervention program that aims to reduce the recidivism of juvenile offenders. Full implementation of the SPEP™ allows juvenile justice systems to evaluate their service array, focus service-related data collection on features related to the expected effectiveness of those services, and develop deeper partnerships with providers as part of a service improvement effort.  Both qualitative and quantitative aspects are evaluated by working with providers and case management data.  

The second Core Capacity project is enhancement of DOCs Early Alert and Intervention System (EAIS) dashboard. The EAIS helps community-based case managers monitor clients and their risk to reoffend. The project will add near real-time charge and conviction data to the dashboard. The additional information will give case managers more data to evaluate clients risk and the Ability to intervene and provide support with the goal of reducing recidivism. 

The first Special Emphasis project, An Evaluation of DOC’s Workforce Programs, will expand on the evaluation and outcomes assessment for the Apprenticeship Programs to include all work programs. Outcomes include indicators for success, which will be identified during the program evaluation, and recidivism rates which will be assessed using criminal history records. Efforts that would have previously gone to our original Special Emphasis project, Examining Pre-Trial Release Outcomes using Jail Data, will be redirected to this evaluation of DOC Workforce Programs.

The second Special Emphasis project, An Analysis of Iowa’s Sex Offender Registry, will expand the special sentence project by including all sex offenders. The updated cohort will allow evaluation for offenders on the registry serving both 10-year and lifetime special sentence, allowing insight into effectiveness and impact of the sex offender registry.