OpportunityTitle: SMART FY 12 Promoting Evidence Integration in Sex Offender Management:  Implementation of the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale
Description: In 2008, the SMART Office and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded an evaluation of a sex offender risk prediction as authorized by Section 637 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. This project examined the predictive ability of the Static-99R in combination with the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS), a dynamic risk scale for adult sex offenders developed in 2001 by the State of Vermont. Results showed the combined use of these tools improved risk prediction accuracy more than either tool used alone. In partnership with NIJ, the SMART Office seeks applications from jurisdictions interested in implementing SOTIPS in an effort to replicate previous study findings and to further evaluate the effectiveness of this model of risk assessment. Costs associated with replicating this study will be supported by the SMART Office and the project will be jointly managed with NIJ. This study is intended to inform and improve sex offender management practices through promoting the use of evidence-based tools in predicting risk of re-offense.Goals, Objectives, and DeliverablesThe purpose of this project is two-fold: 1) to replicate the 2008 study, and 2) to document how use of this model may inform and enhance sex offender supervision practices. NIJ will manage the evaluation of this project. Sites will be selected for SMART Office funding based upon their responses to the Selection Criteria listed on page 15 and their commitment to: &#149; Build knowledge and new evidence. &#149; Implement SOTIPS with fidelity. &#149; Adhere to all requirements of the evaluation, including measuring sex offender risk at three time intervals. &#149; Collect program data. &#149; Work collaboratively with the SMART Office, the NIJ funded evaluation team, and the SOTIPS training and technical assistance provider. &#149; Cooperate fully with the evaluation. Jurisdictions may apply at the state or local level and are encouraged to review the 2008 SOTIPS study. Interested applicants should have the following in place:1) Uniform jurisdiction-wide sex offender supervision (i.e., probation, parole, community corrections) practices with an established risk assessment process that uses the Static 99-R. In the program narrative, applicants should provide a description of sex offender supervision practices in their jurisdiction. 2) Uniform jurisdiction-wide sex offender treatment programming (preferably certified) that uses evidence-based methods, such as cognitive-behavioral group therapy, and has demonstrated quality through positive treatment outcome findings. In the program narrative, applicants should provide a description of the jurisdiction&#146;s sex offender treatment programming and an indication of how many offenders are served on a monthly and/or annual basis.3) Statewide or urban population that represents a diversity of socioeconomic and racial groups.4) A minimum of 300-500 adult sex offenders who have (a) committed at least one sexual offense, (b) are currently in treatment, and (c) are under supervision in the community. In the program narrative, sites will need to provide evidence of their ability to enroll the minimum number of offenders in the study. . 5) Automated data and information systems in place. These systems must be able to track offenders in the study across programs and services. Evidence of these data systems and their abilities should be described in the application. Sites will be required to:1) Use existing Static 99-R scores or administer the Static 99-R on a minimum of 300-500 adult sex offenders under supervision and treatment.2) Administer SOTIPS at three distinct intervals - time 1 (baseline), time 2 (6 months), and time 3 (12 months), at a minimum. Preference will be given to jurisdictions that can demonstrate a pool of eligible sex offenders that would allow for time 1 to occur within the first 12 months of treatment. All three assessments should be completed by month 18 of the grant project period. 3) Collect data on SOTIPS scores as well as document how SOTIPS informed supervision and treatment practices.4) Work collaboratively with the NIJ evaluation team to identify and share data as needed. 5) Identify current data systems which may be used to report data on the study sample. Examples of the types of information and data that should be collected and tracked include, but are not limited to: risk assessment scores, demographic data, criminal history data including arrest(s), (re)convictions, and interactions with criminal justice personnel.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: jacqueline.o&apos;reilly@usdoj.gov
GrantorContactText: Jacqueline O&apos;Reilly &lt;br/&gt;Grant Program Specialist &lt;br/&gt;Phone 202-514-5024