Crossover Youth Practice Model Profile

The Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM) is a research-based, promising practice that aims to reduce or prevent the involvement of youth in the juvenile justice system and other systems of care that are also involved in the child welfare system. CYPM is based on enhancing the collaboration between child welfare and juvenile justice professionals in order to provide individualized programming for youth and increase family engagement at every phase.

The CYPM has four overarching goals:

1. Reduction in the number of youth crossing over and becoming dually-involved;
2. Reduction in the number of youth placed in out-of-home care;
3. Reduction in the use of congregate care; and
4. Reduction in the disproportionate representation of youth of color, particularly in the crossover population.

The CYPM includes three phases:

1. Identifying crossover youth early in juvenile justice processing and deciding appropriate charges. The goal is to divert these youth, when appropriate.
2. Joint case assessment and planning by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems
3. Coordinated case management.

Expected Outcomes:

1. An overall reduction in recidivism, a reduction in the severity of new crimes, and an increase in the time before recidivism;
2. An increase in cases being dismissed or diverted and a reduction in sustained juvenile petitions;
3. An improvement in crossover youth living at home and a reduction in detention and congregate care;
4. An improvement in pro-social behavior.

Staffing Requirements:

The CYPM Model requires collaboration between juvenile justice and child welfare system professionals including social workers, probation officers, intake officers, and diversion officers. Staff training is required prior to implementing the CYPM.