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.
REDUCE REOFFENDING
Juvenile Reentry
Youths leaving juvenile justice facilities and programs face barriers and challenges that must be addressed before they reenter their communities, families, schools and jobs in order for them to succeed.
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!
Connecting Juvenile Justice Professionals
Growing Community
Join a national network of professionals sharing information, tools and approaches to provide the highest quality of life and services.
Blog
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Data Snapshot - Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
One year into the pandemic, data from 148 facilities across the country show a 4% positive test rate for the COVID-19 virus among youths and less than 2% among staff during the month of April 2021.
Congratulations to the 2021 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Finalists
Performance-based Standards (PbS) is very proud to announce the finalists for the 2021 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award that recognizes facilities that best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating all youths as one of our own. We were pleased to receive several applications this year – all using PbS’ data-driven improvement model to develop and implement strategic plans that changed their practices and services.
Sometimes the Smallest Gifts Can Make the Biggest Difference
“I want to be the one who breaks the chain of poverty in my family. My plan when I get out is to get a job to help me stay focused and out of trouble,” one young man wrote to us in his application for the 2021 PbS Reentry Award.
Reentry – The Importance of Hearing From Young People
April 26-30 is National Reentry Week, placing special focus on the importance of reentry and supporting and preparing young people to start afresh successfully and fulfil their potential. PbS added the voices of young people leaving facilities during 2020 to the discussion and showed the importance of hearing directly from them about their readiness and preparation for reentry.