The Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Corrections contact standards are not based on a risk or needs scale. We would like to evaluate our current contact standards and how they relate to what the evidence shows is effective in reducing recidivism. We would like to review other states contact standards and on what the standards are based. With that information, Wisconsin contact standards will be redefined and linked with the youth's assessment score. Once contact standards are developed, in accordance with the evidence, we would like to develop and implement a system of graduated sanctions in response to violations, taking into account risk and needs. These graduated sanctions would ultimately be evidence based and target specific behaviors.
Please check the box next to the following questions if the answer is 'yes'.
Please enter the applicable Event Date if there is an Event associated with this TTA.
When entering an Event Date, the Time is also required.
If the TTA is targeted to a particular audience or location, please complete the questions below.
Milestones are an element, activity, work product, or key task associated with completing the TTA (e.g. kick-off meeting, collect data from stake holders, deliver initial data analysis).
Please complete the fields below, if applicable, to create a milestone for this TTA.
Please respond to the Performance Metrics below. The Performance Metrics questions are based on the TTA Type indicated in the General Information section of the TTA.
Please submit a signed letter of support from your agency’s executive or other senior staff member. The letter can be emailed to or uploaded with this request. The letter should be submitted on official letterhead and include the following information:
- General information regarding the request for TTA services, i.e., the who, what, where, when, and why.
- The organizational and/or community needs specific to the request for TTA services.
- The benefits or anticipated outcomes from the receipt of TTA services.
By submitting this application to BJA NTTAC, I understand that upon approval of this application for TTA, the requestor agrees to keep BJA NTTAC informed of any circumstances that may impact the delivery of the TTA, including changes in the date of the event, event cancellation, or difficulties communicating with the assigned TTA provider.
Please call [site:phone] if you need further assistance completing this application.
Angela sent an e-mail to Gary Dennis, a policy advisor at BJA on 3.7.13 and asked if this request was something that we should handle through NTTAC or if it would be better served going through OJJDP's NTTAC. He responded and suggested that we send an e-mail to Elissa Rumsey at OJJDP and see if they would be able to assist. I sent an e-mail to Ms. Rumsey on 3.11.13. Sent a follow up e-mail to Ms. Rumsey on 3.19.13 asking for her response to previous e-mail. Sent Angela an e-mail on 3.22.13 advising her that I have not yet heard from Ms. Rumsey and asked for direction on what to do with this request. Email sent to Gary Dennis on 3.27.13 asking him to forward an e-mail introduction to Ms. Rumsey on my behalf to get her to respond or to facilitate a call between the three of us to move the TA forward. Spoke to Elissa Rumsey on 4.15.13. She is unclear as to what the requestor means when they say that they would like Techncial Assistance in regard to "contact standards". Ms. Rumsey would like more information before making a decision as to whether or not it is appropriate for OJJDP. On 4.16.13 I sent an e-mail to the requester asking for a time for a conference call to go over assessment questions and gather more information to provide to Ms. Rumsey. Conference call scheduled for 4.23.13 at 10:00am. Held call with requestor on 4.23.13 and received additional information on nature of request in addition to definition of "contact standards". Left voice mail with Ms. Rumsey on 4.23.13 telling her that I had additional information and would like to speak with her to determine if OJJDP can take this request. Also followed up with an email giving some of the details and asking for a time to speak with her. Send second e-mail to Ms. Rumsey on 4.30.13 asking her again to have a call to discuss the TA and inform her about the additional information that was provided to me during the assessment call I had with the requester. Also left her a voice mail on the same day asking her to call or e-mail in regard to this TA so that we can make a decision and move it forward either through the BJA process or refer to OJJDP. 5.7.13 Left Ms. Rumsey another voicemail and sent her an e-mail aksing her to call or e-mail me in regard to this TA. Gave her basic description of what was being requested. Told her that request has been in the system since the first of March and that we would like to get it either referred to OJJDP or to move it through the process at BJA so that it can be resolved. Received e-mail response from Elissa on 5.7.13 asking what the estimated cost of the TA would be. Responded to her on same day and stated that BJA NTTAC processes and OJJDP NTTAC processes may be different as we had not yet determined a cost b/c we were trying to see if it could be referred to OJJDP first due to the nature of the request (juvenile division of dept. of corrections.). Sent her the official request letter on letterhead and the assessment form and asked her if she was willing to take the request. Ms. Rumsey responded and stated that without knowing a cost she couldn't say if OJJDP would take it and based on the nature of the request she thought it would cost a great deal and they would decline it anyway. She stated that she could make a referral to NC4YC, but that she was not sure that they would be able to take it either. Gave this information to Angela and she asked me to contact NC4YC directly to see if they were interested. If they are not then we will push through the process. Attempted to call NC4YC, but number on website is incorrect as I was getting a recording stating that it was a non-working number. There were no direct e-mail addresses to send an e-mail, so I sent an e-mail through their "contact us" form and asked for a return call or e-mail in regard to possible referral from BJA NTTAC. 5.8.13 Angela found a direct number to NC4YC (269.383.8644), so I called and left a message on the voicemail line of Carol Cramer Brooks and asked her to call me back in regard to this TA. Left a second message for Carol Cramer Brooks on 5/13/13 explaining TA request, that Elissa Rumsey gave their name as a reference, and that I wanted to speak to her more about this request. Asked her to direct me to correct person at NC4YC if she was not correct person. Never received response from Carol Cramer Brooks. On 5.23.13 I sent an e-mail to Ms. Ustruck and Ms. Hove declining the request and giving her the web address to the OJJDP NTTAC site to apply for technical assistance through them. Also gave them the e-mail addresses for Elissa Rumsey and Carol Cramer Brooks so that they can contact those people themselves.
a:28:{s:32:"field_what_event_has_occurred_th";s:91:"There is a recognition that current practices and contact standards are not evidence-based.";s:32:"field_what_do_you_want_to_achiev";s:164:"We would like to evaluate our current practices and implement any recommendations for improvement to our contact standards, to align with evidence-based practices. ";s:32:"field_what_will_happen_if_this_n";s:112:"If this need is not addressed, we would likely continue our current practices until another opportunity arises. ";s:32:"field_what_is_the_gap_between_wh";s:47:"There is a lack of research and data available.";s:32:"field_do_you_have_any_data_to_su";s:62:"The lack of data is indicative of, and a part of the problem. ";s:32:"field_have_there_been_previous_a";s:166:"There have been previous attempts to modify programming and contact standards, however, these modifications were not evidence-based and were subsequently not enacted.";s:32:"field_have_you_sought_tta_before";s:2:"No";s:32:"field_who_will_assume_leadership";s:85:"Regional Chiefs will assume the leadership with support from field management staff. ";s:32:"field_how_did_you_learn_about_nt";s:7:"Website";s:32:"field_what_are_your_organization";s:293:"Our agency is currently working to incorporate evidence-based practices in all areas of the organization and there is significant momentum and support for these efforts.
Our specific division is small and as a result, it may be easier to capture necessary data elements in a timely manner.
";s:32:"field_what_are_organization_s_we";s:86:"Given the momentum and support, we have yet to identify our weaknesses in this area. ";s:32:"field_what_opportunities_does_th";s:156:"We can continue to improve our supervision strategies and build meaningful partnership s with critical stakeholders, thus furthering our agency’s mission.";s:32:"field_what_are_the_challenges_th";s:334:"With the support and recognition of a need to evaluate our current practices, we are confident that we will succeed in our goal. However, there is very limited data thus far, requiring our agency to secure basic information from sister agencies state and nationwide. This we view as a challenge, but one that will not impede our goal.";s:32:"field_how_will_this_technical_as";s:333:"This TTA will help align our agency’s practices with evidenced based practices, thus enabling us to better serve youth, families, and the community by balancing youth accountability and competency building. This will result in a decrease in delinquent behavior and restore a sense of safety to victims of crime and the community. ";s:32:"field_what_is_your_overarching_g";s:133:"Our goal is to evaluate our current supervision strategies including contact standards to better align with evidence-based practices.";s:32:"field_please_list_at_least_two_o";s:114:"1) Evaluate our agency’s current supervision strategies
2) Make recommendations for improved agency practices
";s:32:"field_as_a_result_of_this_tta_wh";s:87:"Our agency will be positioned with evidence-based practices and/or promising practices.";s:32:"field_who_will_be_participating_";s:235:"Division of Juvenile Corrections field staff including corrections field supervisors, regional chief, probation/parole agents, and youth counselors. Additionally, administration staff will be participating, including our policy chief.";s:32:"field_what_do_participants_need_";s:61:"A clear vision and a commitment to the evaluation are needed.";s:32:"field_what_activities_experience";s:89:"Policies, field visits, observations
A survey of peer agencies will also be conducted.
";s:32:"field_who_supports_you_in_this_e";s:87:"The Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary’s Office and Division Administrator";s:32:"field_who_are_key_stakeholders_i";s:138:"The Staff in the Division Administrator’s Office including the Administrator, Policy Chief, Office of Juvenile Offender Review Director.";s:32:"field_who_are_key_stakeholders_p";s:89:"Regional Chiefs, Corrections Field Supervisors, Probation/Parole Agents, Youth Counselors";s:32:"field_who_are_key_stakeholders_o";s:183:"Outside stakeholders are to be determined, however, youth and family currently and previously involved in State Juvenile Corrections will likely be included in the evaluation process.";s:32:"field_how_open_are_the_key_stake";s:113:"Very willing to accept recommendations and make necessary modifications to programming, namely contact standards.";s:32:"field_are_there_any_local_govern";s:114:"WiDOC is a state government agency. It is still to be determined if other governmental agencies will be involved.";s:32:"field_how_will_your_organization";s:180:"Through this TTA, we will weave any recommendations for best practices into our business processes and policies and procedures, and continue to provide training for sustainability.";s:32:"field_what_other_resources_do_yo";s:176:"At this time, we have office space, existing workgroup, and staff resources. Additional resources will be identified during the evaluation process and recommendation process. ";}