Process Evaluation of the Texas Youth Commission's Chemical Dependency Treatment Program - Final Report

• NCJ Number: 182367
• Author(s): William R. Kelly
• Date Published: March 2000
• Length: 45 pages
• Grant Number(s): 97-RT-VX-K016
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation

Annotation

Using data collected on youthful offenders with chemical dependency treatment needs, this report provides a systematic and empirical process evaluation of factors associated with successful program progress in the Texas Youth Commission's Chemical Dependency Treatment Program (CDTP).

Abstract

The CDTP features the Resocialization Program, which focuses on the role and impact of alcohol and drugs in the lives of participants. Components include the relationship between low self-esteem and criminal offending; learning the special needs of other group members via life stories; reviewing their offending behavior; victim empathy; family and other significant group relations; development of cognitive skills; developing appropriate modes of expression; introduction to the 12-Step concept with emphasis on steps 1, 2, and 3; development of a relapse prevention plan; and the development of a criminal recidivism plan. The process evaluation focused on appropriate program placement and whether and to what extent risk, dynamic/criminogenic need, and treatment amenability factors are related to several key measures of program progress, including completion/expulsion, days to completion, days to expulsion, performance in treatment, and behavior infractions, as well as variations in select outcomes across each of five treatment sites. Results indicate both that individual-level risk, need, and amenability factors are largely unrelated to various measures of program progress and that site variation in these measures is considerable. This report recommends that greater attention be given to multidimensional assessment of program delivery and progress within and across sites and that ongoing process evaluations be implemented to monitor and improve program delivery and impacts. Additional findings and program, policy, and research implications are discussed. 10 tables, 38 tables, and appended study instruments