Maine Statistical Analysis Center- Positive Youth Development Project

The State Justice Statistics (SJS) Program is designed to maintain and enhance each state's capacity to address criminal justice issues through collection and analysis of data. The SJS Program provides support to each state to coordinate and conduct statistical activities within the state, conduct research to estimate impacts of legislative and policy changes, and serve as a liaison in assisting BJS to gather data from respondent agencies within their states.

The Maine SAC is located at the Muskie School of Public Service (MSPS) within the University of Southern Maine (USM). USM's Research Services Center provides financial support and oversees financial management to ensure compliance with federal, state, and university funding requirements, including the Maine SAC with the Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) that has been administered as a cooperative agreement since 1999.

The Maine SAC, with assistance from the MDOC Division of Juvenile Services (DJS), will assess and measure outcomes in the positive youth development (PYD) programs to identify the assets and risks as well as their relationships, community partnerships and work opportunities. The main focus is on the juvenile’s assets (e.g. good grades) rather than deficits (e.g. substance abuse). In addition to continuing to monitor recidivism rates, DJS plans to establish PYD measures as well and incorporate PYD into its evaluation framework. The methodology includes assembling a stakeholders group which will review literature and develop PYD measures and interview practices; receive IRB approval; integrate PYD measures into the DOC management information system (CORIS); analyze and write-up results and findings; and revise PYD pilot measures for statewide rollout. (CA/NCF)

Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law.