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SVORI Grantee: South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
SVORI website None
Data management system SVORI-specific automated database has been developed
Local evaluation planned No, although internal progress evaluation and monitoring planned

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Reintegration Initiative
TARGET POPULATION

Population type Male and female juveniles 
Number of targeted prisoners 151-200  
Inclusion criteria Ages 14–18; committed for a serious or violent offense, a technical violation related to a serious or violent offense, or be a chronic offender; must be assigned to one of the facilities with either a determinate commitment of at least 90 days or an indeterminate commitment of at least 3–6 months; high risk to reoffend as determined by risk assessment 
Exclusion criteria Offenders committed with a requirement that they transfer to an adult facility at the age of 17 and juveniles who have been sub-classed under the care of the Department of Mental Health 
Pre-release facilities Any of SC’s secure, long-term DJJ facilities or wilderness camps 
Post-release faclities Orangeburg, Dorchester, Calhoun, Florence, and Spartanburg counties 
Participation Mandatory 
Legal release status Participants with determinant sentences are on probation; those with indeterminate sentences are on parole 

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Reintegration Initiative
PROGRAM ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES

Steering committee No steering committee/advisory board at State level; participating counties each have a Reentry Planning and Review Team 
Post-release reentry autority Board of Juvenile Parole 
Number of phases
Phase 1: Institutional Preparation
Duration: From arrival up to 90 days prior to release (average commitment length is 10–15 months) 
Assessments: Completed upon admission to facility 
Components/services offered within phase:
Comprehensive plan for treatment
Community Planning and Review Team, which provides local input to institutional planning process through participation of Community Case Worker (CCW) in Institutional Reentry Team
Community Support Team for each juvenile (consists of family members and service providers relevant to the juvenile's specific case)
Arrangements to ensure that the juvenile receives all needed services, even those not available in the particular facility in which the juvenile is placed
Mandatory participation in victim impact classes
Classes available within the institution include life skills, anger management and conflict resolution, social skills training, employability skills training, parenting, communication skills, adventure-based therapy, money management, and group/individual counseling
Coordination of services:
While in the institution, service coordination is the responsibility of both the Institutional Social Worker and the CCW. The Institutional Social Worker has ultimate responsibility for case management, while the CCW brokers and oversees service provision for the family during the juvenile’s commitment. Institutionally based Reentry Team develops a comprehensive plan for the juvenile. The CCW provides a critical link between the community and the institution by facilitating communication between the institutional staff and the juvenile’s family and community. The CCW maintains frequent communication not only with the institutional staff and community service providers, but also with the juvenile and the juvenile’s family throughout incarceration. The CCW’s participation in the institutional Reentry Team meetings and the ongoing development of the juvenile’s Institutional Treatment Plan allows for the important information pertaining to the juvenile’s family, school, and community to be integrated into the juvenile’s plan.

Phase 2: Pre-release Transition
Duration: 3 months 
Assessments: None 
Components/services offered within phase:
Juvenile, family, and Community Support Team prepared for return to community
Aftercare plan finalized and sent to Juvenile Parole Board
Services between institution and community linked to ensure seamless transition
SVORI-specific classes provided
Appointments with service providers and school admission set
Coordination of services:
CCW and Institutional Caseworker coordinates transition with input from community Reentry Planning and Review Team and Community Support Team; Same as Phase 1

Phase 3: Community Transition
Duration: 3 months (minimum) 
Assessments: Substance abuse and mental health assessments as needed 
Components/services offered within phase:
CCW meets with the juvenile and his/her family to review the plan and parole guidelines
CCW provides case management and supervision to ensure successful adjustment
Community Support Team and Planning and Review Team provide support and guidance
Graduated sanctions and incentives are established
Planning and Review Team reviews cases monthly
Specific targeted services include, as needed, education, substance abuse and mental health treatment, employment services/vocational training, parenting skills training, anger management, life skills training, domestic violence services, faith-based services, mentoring, Intensive Family Services, transportation, wraparound services, and trauma-based treatment
Readiness to move to Phase 4 based on educational and/or work performance and compliance with conditions of release
Coordination of services:
The CCW and the Institutional Caseworker coordinate transition with input from community Reentry Planning and Review Team and Community Support Team. The CCW, with the support of the two community-based teams, will provide case management and supervision in the post-release phases. Initially, the CCW will be heavily involved, assisting with school or vocational job program enrollment and the scheduling of appointments and ensuring that the juvenile keeps these appointments. The CCW is responsible for overall service coordination, monitoring of progress, and implementing graduated incentives and sanctions. The Planning and Review Team will review the case monthly.

Phase 4: Continuing Care
Duration: Continues as long as juvenile is under SC DJJ supervision 
Assessments: Substance abuse and mental health assessments as needed 
Components/services offered within phase:
The CCW continues to provide case management and supervision with reduced contact
Intensive supervision and services are gradually phased out as Community Support Team assumes primary support to juvenile and family
The CCW reinitiates supervision as needed
Planning and Review Team reviews case 90 days into Phase 4
Coordination of services:
The CCW continues to provide case management and supervision with reduced, less intensive contact; Planning and Review Team provides support as needed; Community Support Team assumes greatest responsibility in supporting juvenile and family

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Reintegration Initiative
CHANGES EXPECTED AS A RESULT OF SVORI FUNDING

System-level changes
Greater communication and planning among facilities and community agencies for pre- and post-release treatment/ service plans
Shared agency protocols
Increased local community input into institutional assessments and service provision through direct participation of CCW in institutional planning processes
Same CCW to work with juvenile from institution entry through completion of parole requirements
Community-level Planning and Review Teams, which result in increased coordination and collaboration among agencies and community organizations and more support for juveniles
Smaller caseloads, which allow CCWs to provide more intensive supervision and case management
Increased community awareness, which leads to more referrals and juveniles’ receipt of more services
Regular feedback mechanism among agencies to ensure that collaboration is working
Individual-level changes
Greater communication and planning among facilities and community agencies for pre- and post-release treatment/ service plans
Shared agency protocols
Increased local community input into institutional assessments and service provision through direct participation of CCW in institutional planning processes
Same CCW to work with juvenile from institution entry through completion of parole requirements
Community-level Planning and Review Teams, which result in increased coordination and collaboration among agencies and community organizations and more support for juveniles
Smaller caseloads, which allow CCWs to provide more intensive supervision and case management
Increased community awareness, which leads to more referrals and juveniles’ receipt of more services
Regular feedback mechanism among agencies to ensure that collaboration is working



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