Evaluating Juvenile Justice Programs A Design Monograph for State Planners

Quality and efficiency in programming for young people is a priority for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The evaluation of programs designed to assist troubled youths and those at-risk is therefore a primary concern as well.

Recently, OJJDP conducted a survey to assess State involvement in evaluating programs funded under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act's Formula Grant program. The office found great interest in evaluation, a strong indicator that federal assistance would be extremely helpful in improving quality and consistency in program development.

The monograph therefore represents one aspect of OJJDP's effort to assist the states with program evaluation. We share the states' concerns that programs are responsive to the needs of young people, and designed to efficiently use the dollars allocated to address youths' needs. Sound evaluation research will help planners identify exemplary programs and allow them to share their findings with OJJDP and others interested in addressing similar problems.

Accountability, effectiveness, quality control, and the ability to solve problems all represent benefits of evaluation. With those goals in mind, programs aimed at helping young people should continue to improve. This monograph will help fulfill this mission.