Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Juvenile Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves amendment to juvenile facility contract to continue Choices behavior-management training
Summary
Wayne County commissioners approved Amendment No. 1 to continue technical assistance from the National Partnership for Juvenile Services for a staff-training and behavior-management program at the juvenile facility; staff reported 85% of employees trained and an independent Wayne State University evaluation beginning March 2026.
The Wayne County commission approved an amendment to a contract with the National Partnership for Juvenile Services (NPJS) to continue implementation of the Choices behavior-management program at the county's juvenile facility.
Rachel Davis, director of Juvenile Services, and Mac McGee, division director, told the commission NPJS helped develop the behavior-management system and has provided embedded consultant coaching and leadership training. Staff said the system development was completed in 2024 and training began in March 2024; about 85% of facility staff have been trained and the educational provider and mental-health staff are participating.
Davis and McGee said Wayne State University's Center for Behavioral Health and Justice will begin an independent evaluation of the program in March 2026 to measure effectiveness in reducing incidents and improving safety. Commissioners requested a formal written report on progress; staff agreed to provide a report after the evaluation and offered to produce interim written updates.
The program uses an incentive-based model described as operant conditioning; staff emphasized that state licensing rules limit certain interventions (for example, prohibitions on seclusion and strict limits on physical interventions) and that training is part of ensuring safety and compliance. The commission approved the amendment by voice vote after questions about evaluation timelines and reporting.
Ending: Staff will return with written reporting tied to the Wayne State evaluation (evaluation start March 2026) and will provide interim materials to commissioners on program metrics and implementation progress.
