Research Informed and Best Practices
As part of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s effort to implement research informed and best practices throughout the continuum of services, this page provides information regarding curricula and treatments that have been proven through research to reduce recidivism and/or criminogenic needs. This page is maintained by the Office of Fidelity, Accountability, and Support, in conjunction with the Office of Research, Data, and Innovation and the Office of Health Services.
Evidence-Based Practices
Treatment and practices which have been independently evaluated and found to reduce the likelihood of recidivism or at least two criminogenic needs, with a juvenile offending population. These interventions have been evaluated to the highest degree, often using the “gold standard” of random assignment. The evaluation must have used sound methodology, including, but not limited to, random assignment or use of methodologically sound control groups, valid and reliable measures, low attrition, and appropriate analysis. Such studies shall provide evidence of statistically significant positive effects of adequate size and duration. In addition, there must be evidence that replication by different implementation teams at different sites is possible with similar positive outcomes. The effect of the intervention must have been statistically significant and must have lasted for an adequate time period (at least one year for recidivism).
Cannabis Youth Treatment (CYT)*
LifeSkills Training (LST) Middle School version*
SNAP for Boys
SNAP for Girls
*Clinical Intervention- must be delivered by a clinical staff.
Promising Practices
Interventions and treatments which have been evaluated and found to reduce the likelihood of recidivism or at least one criminogenic need with a juvenile offending population. These delinquency interventions have a significant amount of empirical support. The evaluation must have used sound methodology, including, but not limited to, random assignment or quasi-experimental design, use of control or comparison groups, valid and reliable measures, and appropriate analysis. Such studies shall provide evidence of statistically significant positive effects. In addition, there must be evidence that replication by different implementation teams at different sites is possible with similar positive outcomes.
Adolescent Coping With Depression*
Aggression Replacement Training (ART)*
Impact of Crime
Living in Balance*
Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)*
Parenting with Love and Limits*
TARGET Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy*
The EQUIP Program
The Seven Challenges*
Thinking for a Change (T4C)
*Clinical Intervention- must be delivered by a clinical staff.
Practices with Demonstrated Effectiveness
Practices based on general principles, strategies, and modalities reported in criminological, psychological, or other social science research as being effective with a juvenile population as evidenced by empirical support. The specific interventions may not have been evaluated. For an intervention to be deemed a practice with demonstrated effectiveness, the empirical research must have shown that practices that contain similar components or similar principles have shown reductions of the program participants versus the comparison group(s) in at least one criminogenic need. These practices should be outlined in a format that ensures consistent delivery by the facilitator across multiple groups.
Anger Management for Substance Abuse & Mental Health Clients*
Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program
Girls Moving On
Interactive Journaling
Pathways: A Guided Workbook for Youth Beginning Treatment*
Resilience Builder Program for Children and Adolescents
Seeking Safety*
Skillstreaming the Adolescent
SNAP - Youth Justice
The Council- Living a Legacy
*Clinical Intervention- must be delivered by a clinical staff.
Other Mental Health and Substance Abuse Clinical Treatment
A New Direction
Bullying Workbook for Teens
Don't Let Emotions Run Your Life
Footprints: Steps to a Healthy Life
Group Treatment for Substance Abuse
G-TREM
Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People With Stimulant Use Disorders
M-TREM
Roadmaps to Recovery
Stop the Chaos
The Coping With Stress Course
The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction
The Passport Program
Treatment Models Recommended by Office of Health Services
Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Family Systems Therapy
Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
Insight Oriented Therapy
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Rational Emotive Therapy
Reality Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Strength-Based Therapy
Trauma-Focused CBT
Note: For questions regarding treatment models, please contact Office of Health Services.