GRAD: Improving Referrals to Families and Children in Need

Ohio State University has developed a new tool to determine the risk level for kids hitting the juvenile justice system: the Global Risk Assessment Device. While other risk assessment instruments only look at the risk of re-offending, GRAD seeks to assess the "global" picture: how can we help this child? GRAD seeks to provide Courts with a tool that will help them tailor services and programs to the individual child's needs. Excellent news because the idea of focusing treatment and services on the individual needs of each child was at the heart of the juvenile justice philosophy during its creation over 100 years ago.

There are currently GRAD pilot projects in Franklin, Cuyahoga and Licking Counties in Ohio. You can find an early report on Cuyahoga County statistics at the GRAD website. Hopefully more information will follow.