summary: SPEP - FY22-23

raw_content:
Standardized Program Evaluation
Protocol [SPEP] Report
Lake Academy Nonsecure
TrueCore Behavioral Solutions, LLC
(Contract Provider)
9504 East Columbus Drive
Tampa, Florida 33619
Primary Service: Moral Reconation Therapy
SPEP Review Period: 3/1/2022-2/28/2023
SPEP Review Conducted: 3/20/2023
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Report Date: 9/13/2023
Introduction
The Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP) is data-driven rating system for
evaluating program effectiveness. The SPEP was developed by relying on hundreds of studies
that have examined key characteristics of programs that demonstrated their ability to reduce
recidivism. To determine a SPEP score, the program’s services are compared to characteristics
of effective programs in the research of a similar type.
The SPEP score is composed of four principle characteristics that have been shown to predict
reductions in youth recidivism; service type, quality of service, dosage (amount of service), and
youth level of risk.
• Service Type: service type points are awarded based on the group category that the
service falls within
• Quality of Service: quality points are awarded by determining the extent to which the
program is delivered in what research suggests is a high-quality manner
• Amount of Service: or “dosage” refers to the amount and duration of services that were
received
• Risk Level: refers to the level of criminogenic risk for youth involved in the intervention.
The final output of the SPEP review is the Program Optimization Percentage (POP). This rate is
derived from the Basic Score and Program Optimization Score. The POP rate is a percentage
score that indicates how the service rates in effectiveness when compared to the potential
effectiveness if optimized to match the most effective services in the research. This means the
POP rate represents how close the program’s Primary Service is to its potential for that Primary
Service Type. For example, a POP rate of 55% would indicate that the program’s Primary
Service is operating at 55% of its potential effectiveness for recidivism reduction based on the
SPEP research.
Department of Juvenile Justice | Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol [SPEP] Report 2
Basic Score: 35 Points
1. Primary Service and Supplemental Service Types POS: 35 Points
POP: 100%
There are five Primary Service Types that have been classified into Groups with a maximum
number of points possible for rating purposes. Some Primary Service Types may also have
qualifying Supplemental Service Types that could earn a program an additional 5 points.
The Primary Service for this program is Moral Reconation Therapy.
The program was awarded 30 points because the Primary Service is identified as a Group 5
Service. The specific Sub-Component Service Type identified is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
The Primary Service was identified as this type of service as it is intended to correct faulty
cognitions and perceptions and provides skills individuals can use to monitor thought patterns and
correct behaviors.
An additional 5 points was awarded based on a Qualifying Supplemental Service. The Qualifying
Supplemental Service was identified as None (automatic 5 points added to score), which was not
demonstrated to have been implemented.
The Primary and Supplemental Service Raw Score is equal to the sum of the Primary Service
points plus the Qualifying Supplemental Service points.
Note: Quality information is evaluated during quarterly and annual reviews.
Department of Juvenile Justice | Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol [SPEP] Report 3
Basic Score: 20 Points
2. Overall Quality of Service Delivery Score POS: 20 Points
POP: 100%
The Quality of Service Delivery Score is the sum of the scores for the seven treatment quality
indicators. The Program Optimization Percentage Rating determines the Overall Quality of
Service Level:
Indicator Sum Score 0-3 = Low; Sum Score 4-7 = Medium; Sum Score 8-10 = High.
Sum of all Indicator Scores (a – g below): 9 Points
Overall Quality of Service Delivery Level:
Low (Raw Score = 5)
Medium (Raw Score = 10)
High (Raw Score = 20 Points)
Basic Score: 1 Point(s)
a. Facilitator Training
Maximum Possible Score: 1 Point
All facilitator(s) of the Primary Service must have received formal training specific to the
intervention or model/protocol.
The program utilizes Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) as a primary service. The clinical staff are
trained to facilitate MRT groups. There were six staff trained to facilitate MRT groups during the
annual review period of March 15, 2022, to March 14, 2023- one Clinical Director, one Assistant
Clinical Director, one licensed Therapist (PRN), and three Therapists. All training records were
provided for review. There were three main facilitators during the annual review period. The
Clinical Director and Assistant Clinical Director conduct internal fidelity monitoring.
Basic Score: 2 Point(s)
b. Treatment Manual/Protocol
Maximum Possible Score: 2 Points
There is a specific written manual/protocol detailing delivery of the Primary Service.
The program uses the current Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) manual and student workbooks.
The manual includes facilitator notes, facilitation guidelines, and lesson plans. Moral Reconation
Therapy groups are held Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. All documentation for MRT
groups are in a binder kept in the clinical director's office. All youth with a mental health diagnosis
are eligible to attend MRT groups. Moral Reconation Therapy groups are open groups and held
on a constant basis.
Basic Score: 1 Point(s)
c. Observed Adherence to the Manual/Protocol
Maximum Possible Score: 1 Point
Upon observation of the Primary Service by the Quality Improvement reviewer, the facilitator of
that service adhered to the written protocol/manual.
A session of Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) was observed on March 21, 2023. Group started
at 2:39 pm and ended at 3:30 pm. In attendance were two facilitators, a staff observing the group,
and eight youths.The youth were engaged and seemed eager to participate in the discusion. The
Department of Juvenile Justice | Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol [SPEP] Report 4
Topic was Freedom Ladder Step 4 and one youth was on Step 7. A copy of the lesson was
provided to the observer to follow along with the group.
Basic Score: 1 Point(s)
d. Facilitator Turnover
Maximum Possible Score: 2 Points
Measures the extent to which facilitators of the specific intervention/service have changed as
well as gaps in service of that Primary Service.
A review of the documentation for the quarterly review period showed there was facilitator
turnover which adversely affected the delivery of Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). One Assistant
Clinical Director and a Therapist left the program. The primary service is an open group, run year-
round. The program's protocol in the event of facilitator turnover is for another trained staff to
continue with group facilitation. A review of the sign-in sheets confirmed there were no gaps in
service during the annual review period.
MRT was designated as a primary service as the result of a newly negotiated contract; there was
a delay in providing this service due to a slow intake of youth. Lake Academy Nonsecure did not
have enough eligible youth to form a proper group until July 2022. There were three cohorts
ongoing throughout the review period; groups were held consistently July 2022 through February
2023.
The program can earn 2 points if facilitator turnover does not impact groups.
At the time of the review, the program did not meet criteria to earn a score of 2.
Basic Score: 2 Point(s)
e. Internal Fidelity Monitoring
Maximum Possible Score: 2 Points
The program has a process to monitor the delivery of the intervention to examine how closely
actual implementation matches the model protocol.
The Clinical Director conducts internal fidelity monitoring for the Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)
groups. There were three main facilitators for MRT during the annual review period. The internal
fidelity forms were provided for a review and there were no missing observations. A review of
documentation showed the program completed nine internal fidelity monitorings.
Basic Score: 1 Point
f. Corrective Action based on Fidelity Monitoring
Maximum Possible Score: 1 Point
The program has a process by which corrective action is applied and demonstrated based on
the fidelity monitoring of the delinquency intervention/therapeutic service.
The clinical director addresses any issues or corrective actions for the facilitators of Moral
Reconation Therapy (MRT). The internal fidelity forms include a section to document any
corrective actions for the facilitators. All internal fidelity forms were provided for review and there
were no significant issues or corrective actions noted for the annual review period.
Department of Juvenile Justice | Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol [SPEP] Report 5
g. Evaluation of Facilitator Skill Delivering the Basic Score: 1 Point
Intervention Maximum Possible Score: 1 Point
Performance evaluations of the facilitators of the specific intervention/service include
evaluation of skill in delivering the intervention/service.
The annual performance evaluation includes a section to document which curricula the
employees are trained in and evaluated their skill. There were three main facilitators for Moral
Reconation Therapy groups during the annual review period. The three facilitators had an annual
performance evaluation and they were provided for review.
Department of Juvenile Justice | Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol [SPEP] Report 6
3. Amount of Service - Duration
Basic Score: 10 Points
Program Optimization Score: 10 Points
Program Optimization Percentage: 100%
Research indicates the target duration of 15 weeks for this type of service. Of the 8 youth in the
sample, 100% (8 of 8) reached at least the indicated target duration. Further explanation is
detailed in the Summary and Recommendations below.
Note: Dosage information (duration) is calculated from the Juvenile Justice Information System
(JJIS) Evidence-Based Services module. Duration is included for the youth in the SPEP sample.
4. Amount of Service – Contact Hours
Basic Score: 10 Points
Program Optimization Score: 10 Points
Program Optimization Percentage: 100%
Research indicates a target of 45 contact hours for this type of service. Of the 8 youth in the
sample, 100% (8 of 8) reached the indicated target contact hours. Further explanation is detailed
in the Summary and Recommendations below.
Note: Dosage information (contact hours) is calculated from the Juvenile Justice Information
System (JJIS) Evidence-Based Services module. Contact hours are included for the youth in the
SPEP sample.
5. Risk Level of Youth Served:
Basic Score: 7 Points
Program Optimization Score: 25 Points
Program Optimization Percentage: 28%
Percentage of Youth with Moderate, Moderate-High, and High-Risk Levels to Reoffend: 75%
Moderate to High Score: 7 Points
Program Optimization Score: 12 Points
Program Optimization Percentage: 58%
Table 1
Moderate = 4 youth
Moderate-High = 2 youth
High = 0 youth
Total Youth in Sample = 8 youth
Department of Juvenile Justice | Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol [SPEP] Report 7
Percentage of Youth with High-Risk Level to Reoffend: 0%
High Score: 0 Points
Program Optimization Score: 13 Points
Program Optimization Percentage: 0%
Table 2
High = 0 youth
Total Youth in Sample = 8 youth
The risk level score is compiled by calculating the total percent of the SPEP sample that score
Moderate to High-Risk to reoffend and also the total percent of the SPEP sample that score High-
Risk to reoffend.
Of the SPEP sample, 75% (6 of 8) youth scored Moderate to High-Risk to reoffend, for a score of
7 points.
Of the SPEP sample, 0% (0 of 8) youth scored High-Risk to reoffend, for a score of 0 points.
Note: The latest Community Assessment Tool (CAT) prior to the placement date was used in the
derivation of the risk level score. This CAT provides the best indication of the risk to re-offend
level of the youth when the youth was first placed in the program.
Summary and Recommendations
Program Program
Category Basic Score Optimization Optimization
Score Percentage
Primary and Supplemental Service Type 35 35 100%
Quality of Service Delivery 20 20 100%
Amount of Service: Duration 10 10 100%
Amount of Service: Contact Hours 10 10 100%
Risk Level of Youth Served 7 25 28%
Totals 82 100 82%
This SPEP report evaluates Moral Reconation Therapy, an intervention delivered at Lake
Academy Nonsecure.
34 youth completed the program during the review period.
The program scored High for Quality of Service Delivery.
The program earned 10 points for Amount of Service: Duration. Of the 8 total youth sampled, all 8
included dosage with end dates in the EBS Module. Of those youth, 8 received at least the
recommended weeks of service. Youth in the sample completed between 17 and 22 weeks of
service, with an average of 17 weeks.
The program earned 10 points for Amount of Service: Contact Hours. Of the 8 total youth
sampled, all 8 included dosage in the EBS Module. Of those youth, 8 received at least the
Department of Juvenile Justice | Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol [SPEP] Report 8
recommended hours of service. Youth in the sample completed between 45 and 47 hours of
service, with an average of 47 hours.
The program was awarded 7 available points for Risk Level of Youth Served. This is calculated
using data from the Community Assessment Tool (CAT). This score reflects youths' most recent
CAT score prior to placement at the program. The program itself has no control over youths' CAT
risk level because the scored assessment was administered prior to the youths' admission.
Had the percentage of youth served with Moderate-High and High risk to reoffend been higher,
and this report awarded each 25 of the available points for this section, the Program Optimization
Percentage for this service would increase to 100%. As stated previously, the Risk Level of Youth
Served score is not under the control of the program.
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Lake Academy Nonsecure can optimize their SPEP Quality of Service Delivery score by ensuring
facilitator turnover does not impact groups.
Lake Academy Nonsecure can optimize their SPEP Amount of Service score by ensuring dosage
for all youth is recorded accurately in EBS and by ensuring youth receive the full targeted dosage
of service.
Department of Juvenile Justice | Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol [SPEP] Report 9

file_name: FY2022-23 Lake Nonsecure MRT.pdf

service_type: Moral Reconation Therapy