What is a Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI)?

The Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI) measures a youth’s level of risk, needs, responsivity factors, and strengths to guide early decision-making during the juvenile intake process. The YASI looks to identify both the dynamic (changeable) and static (unchangeable) risk factors of youth to assist professionals with determining risk to recidivate, manage caseloads, and structure and target services to youth with higher needs.

The YASI is specifically designed for youth and includes research-based predictors of delinquent behavior and critical factors to promoting positive outcomes. The information collected during the assessment guides the creation of a case plan tailored to each youth’s identified needs and strengths. Motivational interviewing strategies inform the entire assessment and case planning process. It is designed to engage youth, provide them with a sense of ownership over their case plan, and match supervision and intervention strategies with the youth’s levels of risk and motivation.

The use of the YASI is implemented in youth justice practice across Wisconsin and requires a series of training components.

What is Functional Family Case Management (FFCM)?

FFCM is an evidence-based integrative supervision and case management model for engaging, motivating, assessing, and working successfully with high-risk youth and families. Three phases within the model that include Engage and Motivate, Support and Monitor, and Generalization.

What is a Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (DRAI)?

The DRAI is used during the custody intake process to objectively assess whether a youth poses a community safety or flight risk for future court hearings. Risk scores calculated by the DRAI assist in making a recommendation to hold a youth in secure custody, hold in non-secure custody, or release back to the youth’s parent or guardian. If a youth is held in custody, a court hearing in front of the juvenile judge will occur within the next business day.

What to expect when my child is placed on supervision?

The department will assign a Youth Justice (YJ) worker to your family. The child AND family are expected to meet with the assigned YJ worker regularly. Most visits will occur in the family’s home. The goal of supervision is to ensure community safety, hold the youth accountable for their behavior, and provide services to enhance the youth’s competencies.

Do I need an attorney for an Intake Inquiry?

No, an attorney is not required for the intake, but the family may choose to hire one to be present. The youth and parent(s) are strongly encouraged to attend the intake inquiry. If the youth and parent(s) choose not to attend, the police referral will likely be sent to the District Attorney for review.

How does an adjudication in juvenile court impact my future record?

A youth’s criminal record is considered confidential except for other court matters when a youth becomes an adult and, in certain circumstances, if the youth decides to join the military. When applying for employment, it is not required for a youth to list on a job application that they have been adjudicated for a felony or any other offense.

How do I get my child placed in out-of-home care?

The department will not recommend that youth be placed outside their parental home unless specific criteria are established, and it is in the youth's best interest. Youth are only placed in out-of-home care with substantial attempts to retain the youth in their home through available services, resources, and treatment. Additionally, state law requires the department to consider a relative's home before considering other out-of-home placement options. Our department promotes a community-based approach to youth justice supervision.

For additional information on Youth Services and Youth Justice in Wisconsin, visit the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families: Youth Justice in Wisconsin