Put Data to Work for You
PbS is a data-driven continuous improvement process for juvenile justice facilities, community residential programs and reentry services to improve conditions and quality of life in our nation’s juvenile facilities. We offer research-based standards and performance measures that focus on:
Making Facilities Safe
Public safety and the safety of the youths, staff and visitors is the primary responsibility of confinement facilities. PbS standards and performance data focus on management practices that promote safety and wellbeing and minimize the risks of harm.
Monitoring Program Effectiveness
The challenge for youth facility leaders is to provide programming and services that both keep youths engaged and out of trouble and puts them on the path to becoming productive, purposeful citizens. PbS standards and performance measures focus on education and employment opportunities, health and behavioral health services and building life skills and competencies.
Achieving Positive Outcomes
Time in custody can and should be a catchment opportunity to help youths prepare to return to living with their families and community. PbS standards and performance measures focus on what research has shown are the most likely outcomes to prevent reoffending and give youths a meaningful second chance when they leave.
See it in action
Success Stories
Watch to see how facilities nationwide use PbS to measure and drive continuous improvement in their operations each day.
It is truly amazing the culture change that PbS has fostered at our facility. As you know, PbS is a big endeavor but oh my is it ever worth it!
Blog
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The 2021 PbS Scholarship is Now Open!
We’re excited to announce that the PbS Education and Employment Foundation 2021 Scholarship Award is now open! PbS invites all staff and youths from PbS-participating facilities and programs to apply.
This year the Annie E. Casey Foundation has generously donated $10,000 to go towards scholarships. The awards of $1,000 or $2,000 will be given to help offset the costs of university degrees or college credits and support efforts to further post-secondary education. So far the Scholarship Awards have helped 15 individuals earn bachelor or master’s degrees, or college credits.

The 2021 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest is Now Open!
Performance-based Standards (PbS) is pleased to announce the annual Kids Got Talent Contest is now open! This contest is such a joy for our staff and every year, we are impressed with not only the talented youths but the staff that supports ...

Second Round of 2020 PbS Reentry Award Winners
Following the success of our virtual fundraiser “Creating Real Second Chances,” Performance-based Standards (PbS) was pleased to offer a second round of the 2020 PbS Reentry Award to youths in PbS participating facilities. During this unpre ...

PbS 25th Anniversary Spotlight: Honoring Ned Loughran
Edward J. “Ned” Loughran was known across the country as a leader dedicated to reforming the juvenile justice system. He continuously fought to keep juvenile agencies and leaders focused on rehabilitation and providing individualized, effec ...