RE: Annual Report on Evidence-Based Policy Team

Office Memorandum

DATE: April 11, 2005

TO: Commissioner Fabian

FROM: Chris Bray

RE: Annual Report on Evidence-based Policy Team

The Evidence-based Policy Team (EBP) was formed in April, 2004 in response to a request by Commissioner Fabian to further the use of evidence based practices throughout the state.

Background

In December 2003, the Department of Corrections requested technical assistance from NIC to assist the state in furthering the use of evidence based practices throughout the state. NIC agreed to provide short term assistance. In January 2004 an ad hoc advisory group was formed to explore different structures and vehicles for furthering best practices and to prepare an agenda for the consultant’s first visit to Minnesota. Elyse Clawson and Lore Joplin, from the Crime and Justice Institute were selected as technical assistance providers. They made their first visit to Minnesota on February 19 and 20, 2004.

As a result of work done with the Elyse and Lore, a team designed to represent the three statewide probation delivery systems and the correctional facilities was formed with the following structure: three directors selected by MACCAC to represent CCA counties; three directors selected by the CPO directors to represent CPO counties; three directors/supervisors to represent DOC counties; two wardens selected by the wardens’ group; and one member representing the commissioner’s office. The team is a subcommittee of and formally reports to Deputy Commissioner Nelson’s MACCSS group.

Members representing CCA counties include Jerry Hailey, Don Ilse, and Carol Roberts. Members representing CPO counties include Roxanne Bartsh, J Hancuch, and John Klavins. Members representing DOC counties include Jill Carlson, Andy Doom, and Swantje Willers. Chris Bray chairs the group and represents the commissioner’s office. Sue Stacey facilitates the group.

Accomplishments

During the first year, the EBP Team accomplished the following:

• Formed a partnership between the three supervision delivery systems and the correctional facilities to promote and guide the implementation of evidence based practices in Minnesota. • Decided to promote the NIC Integrated Model of evidence-based practices in Minnesota, stressing three components: evidence-based principles; collaboration; and organizational development. • Developed the following mission statement: To provide leadership that promotes and sustains the statewide use of Evidence Based Practices. • Developed the following vision statement: Evidence Based Practices is the Minnesota model. Office Memorandum

• Requested and received presentations/updates from each of the existing networks (LSI-R Network, ECM Network, Minnesota Cognitive Behavioral Network, and Sex Offender Network). • Set up a formal support/reporting relationship between the EBP Team and the LSI-R, ECM, and Cog Networks, and the Female Offender Task Force. • Began the start up of a sex offender management network. • Increased the visibility of the EBP Team by presenting at MN corrections conferences, creating materials, and sponsoring collaborative training events. • Sponsored a YLS/CMI Training for Master Trainers

Goals for Year Two

The team held a retreat at the end of the first year on April 8, 2005. At that meeting, it was agreed that we would target four areas for the following year. • Plan and deliver a statewide collaborative training program for evidenced based practices. The focus of this training program will be assessment, case planning, evidence based interventions and aftercare, evaluation/outcomes. • Improve EBP Team visibility and educate stakeholders (including the judiciary) about evidence based practices. • Examine options for developing a demonstration project of EBP joint training and quality assurance for correctional facilities and supervised releasees (juvenile and adult). • Maintain and sustain the EBP statewide networks

Workgroups were formed to further develop each of the four goals. Each workgroup is chaired or co-chaired by a member/s of the EBP Team. The team will meet on a quarterly basis with workgroups meeting more often.