NYSAP: Evaluating Juveniles for Competency to Proceed in Delinquency Matters
Presented by: Ivan Kruh, PhD and Christina L. Riggs Romaine, PhD
20 Hours / 20 CEs
On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training
This on-demand professional training program on Evaluating Juveniles for Competency to Proceed in Delinquency Matters is presented by Ivan Kruh, PhD, and Christina L. Riggs Romaine, PhD, in partnership with the National Youth Screening & Assessment Partners (NYSAP).
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the competence to proceed of juveniles being adjudicated in juvenile courts. This program focuses on conducting juvenile adjudicative competence evaluations that meet best practice standards.
The training covers foundational issues, including the evolution of legislation regarding juvenile competence and differences in legislation across states. The manner in which these legal standards can be translated into measurable forensic concepts is discussed, with a focus on how these concepts differ between juvenile and adult cases. The current empirical literature relevant to juvenile adjudicative competence is reviewed, with a particular focus on the intersection of adolescent development and court-related functioning.
All of this background set the stage for a detailed discussion of conducting juvenile adjudicative competence evaluations. Preparation for the evaluation and the data collection process is examined, with a particular focus on developmentally sensitive competence interviewing using the Juvenile Adjudicative Competency Interview (JACI), the role of available forensic assessment instruments in juvenile adjudicative competence evaluations, and the importance of third-party corroboration.
Methods for interpretation and integration of data are presented, as well as strategies for effective communication of findings. Throughout this discussion, there is a focus on sensitivity to functional limitations based on normal child development and developmental psychopathology. Juvenile competence remediation is also highlighted. A sample case worked through by participants with structured feedback is used to highlight relevant issues, and the program includes additional activities to assist participants in honing their interviewing, record reviewing, and data interpretation skills.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- 1 Describe competency to proceed as it is typically defined in juvenile court matters
- 2 Describe why competency to proceed is a relatively new and still evolving concern in juvenile court matters
- 3 Describe strategies for using local statutes to guide practice when conducting evaluations of juveniles for competency to proceed
- 4 Describe the unique role of developmental immaturity as a potential cause of weaknesses in juvenile competency to proceed evaluations
- 5 Describe strategies for conducting developmentally sensitive juvenile competency evaluations
- 6 Describe a thoughtful approach to considering developmental psychopathology in evaluations of juveniles for competency to proceed
- 7 Describe a five question model for conducting juvenile competency to proceed evaluations
- 8 Describe the Juvenile Adjudicative Competency Interview (JACI) as a method for collecting data relevant to juvenile competency to proceed evaluations
- 9 Describe the didactic training provided for application to a sample evaluation case
Presented By
Ivan Kruh, PhD Partner, National Youth Screening and Assessment Partners
Ivan Kruh received his PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Psychology & Law from the University of Alabama in 1998 and subsequently completed fellowship training in forensic psychology through the University of Washington. For ten years, he was the Director of Juvenile Forensic Mental Health Services for Washington State and directed a Juvenile Forensic Psychology fellowship through the University of Washington. He has offered juvenile forensic mental health evaluations privately in Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut since 2012. Dr. Kruh specializes in the conduct and coordination of evaluations of juvenile competency to proceed (JCTP) and has co-authored two manuals with Thomas Grisso regarding creation of state standards for these evaluations. He has provided training, quality assurance and technical assistance for a variety of state agencies nationally since 2010, all aimed at supporting the day-to-day provision of high quality juvenile forensic mental health evaluations.
Presented By
Christina L. Riggs Romaine, PhD Associate Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College
Dr. Christina L. Riggs Romaine received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a Forensic concentration from Drexel University. She worked as an evaluator, trainer, and service provider in pre- and post-adjudication juvenile justice facilities, before practicing as a full-time forensic evaluator in the MA Juvenile Court Clinics. Dr. Riggs Romaine is now an Associate Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College, MA where she continues to conduct research and provide clinical training on juvenile adjudicative competence. She is also an Associate with National Youth Screening and Assessment Partners (NYSAP) where she has consulted with and trained clinicians and juvenile justice stakeholders in 14 states.
Training Outline
Key topics covered in this training include:
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Defining Juvenile Competency to Proceed (JCTP)
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Developmental Issues
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Foundational Concepts to Guide Evaluations
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Evaluation Preparation
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Data Collection
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Forming Opinions
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Wrapping Up, Training Evaluations, Q&A
Earning a Certificate
This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
We are proud to partner with
National Youth Screening & Assessment Partners (NYSAP)
The National Youth Screening & Assessment Partners (NYSAP) is a technical assistance and research group dedicated to helping juvenile justice and related programs nationwide. Since 2000, NYSAP has assisted juvenile justice systems to make decisions about adolescents that are consistent with youths’ health and positive development and with the community’s interests by helping systems use reliable, evidence-based methods for screening and assessment. We provide training, technical assistance, and quality implementation services to agencies and programs in the areas of risk screening and risk-needs assessment, behavioral health screening, and competence to stand trial evaluations.
NYSAP professionals have played a key role for 25 years in research on juveniles’ competence to stand trial and in developing juvenile competence standards for forensic clinical practice, law, and policy. In response to the growing demand for juvenile competence evaluations nationally, we provide consultation to assist agencies in developing or refining their juvenile competence service delivery system, as well as creating and conducting quality assurance procedures. We train clinicians and juvenile justice stakeholders (e.g., judges, attorneys, and community partners) in practice standards for conducting high-quality juvenile competence evaluations.
CE Sponsorship Information
Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here.
American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).
Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.