OPEGA briefing finds gaps in Department of Juvenile Services' community services, data and oversight

OPEGA presented its evaluation of the Department of Juvenile Services to the Judicial Proceedings Committee on Jan. 15, 2025, reporting that DJS lacks consistent oversight of community-based providers and that its case management systems limit the agency’s ability to measure outcomes.

The OPEGA director, Mike Powell, told the committee that his office was asked by the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee to examine DJS performance. “We don't work for DJS. We're not contractors or consultants. We work for you,” Powell said, describing OPEGA as “nonpartisan, objective, sort of fact-based staff.”

OPEGA's report covered long-term juvenile referral trends, community-based nonresidential services, DJS oversight of contractors, use of SINS (children in need of supervision) referrals and case histories of 15 youths later indicted in a series of armed robberies and carjackings. The office identified several shortcomings the department can address quickly and several longer-term gaps that will require new data systems or additional resources.

Most important findings

OPEGA highlighted four areas of…