Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

DJJ Should Monitor Network and PACE Administrative Services and Revise Policies to Serve Appropriate Youth

Report 09-01, January 2009




Report Summary

  • The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services (the Network) and PACE Centers for Girls are the two largest prevention contracts funded by the Department of Juvenile Justice. The Network is managed by an administrative service organization that subcontracts with 31 providers. This structure provides consistency, accountability, flexibility, and expertise for the programs and recognizes that the department does not currently have the resources or expertise needed to effectively manage the individual provider contracts. However, the department has not effectively monitored the Network. The department should revise its performance measures for the Network and PACE to better assess their services.
  • Both the Network and PACE use screening and assessment tools that effectively target their respective populations. However, the department requires these providers to use other criteria that may prevent them from serving youth who are most likely to benefit from services. While national evidence- based models for the types of programs provided by the Network and PACE have not been developed, both entities use some evidence-based practices.


Related Reports
  1. DJJ Should Better Identify At-Risk Youth, Use Proven Prevention Models, and Revise Funding Practices
    Report 08-07 February 2008
  2. Progress Report: DJJ Prevention Makes Progress; More Analysis and Contract Monitoring Needed
    Report 04-47 July 2004
  3. Prevention and Victim Services Program Department of Juvenile Justice
    Report 02-62 November 2002
  4. Follow-Up Report on Prevention Programs Administered by the Department of Juvenile Justice
    Report 98-63 February 1999
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Juvenile Justice, DJJ, Prevention, Delinquency, CINS/FINS, Gender Specific, Status Offender, Shelter, Network, PACE, Risk Factor, Evidence Based