Job Aids & Support Materials
Juvenile Intake Training & Performance Support
A comprehensive performance support system designed to guide law enforcement officers through the complexities of juvenile intake decisions.
OVERVIEW
This project was created to give officers a simple, practical resource for juvenile intake cases they may not handle very often. It includes a field guide and realistic scenarios to help officers know when to contact Juvenile Intake, what paperwork is needed, how to document the incident, and what should happen next.
Challenge
Juvenile intake cases can involve several decisions, paperwork requirements, and agency procedures, but officers may not handle these cases very often. The challenge was to create a resource that could be used during training and later as a quick reference in the field.
THE SOLUTION
Integrated Performance Support
Officer Field Guide
I created the “Make the Call” Officer Field Guide along with realistic scenario-based practice materials. The resources use decision flows, documentation reminders, common mistakes, practical examples, and scenario questions to help officers apply the juvenile intake process in realistic situations.
Decision Flow
Simple decision flows that help officers work through juvenile intake cases they may not handle very often.
Scenario Practice
Realistic practice scenarios that help officers work through juvenile arrest, detention, and human trafficking situations and build confidence in their decisions.
Checklists & Support
Quick-reference reminders and narrative guidance that help officers complete paperwork and clearly document what happened.
Scenario Practice
Juvenile Arrest/Detention
Practice making critical intake decisions for standard arrest and detention cases, ensuring compliance with state mandates and department policy.
Interstate Compact
Navigate the complexities of runaways and warrants involving multiple state jurisdictions under the Interstate Compact for Juveniles (ICJ) guidelines.
Human Trafficking/Exploitation
CINC / Parents and Caregiver Arrested
Analyze red flags and apply performance support tools to identify and appropriately process potential victims of human trafficking or exploitation.
Applies juvenile intake decision-making when a child cannot safely return to a parent or caregiver.
Design Approach
The project was designed around practical decision-making and performance support. Instead of relying only on lecture-based instruction, the training uses realistic juvenile intake scenarios, guided discussion, decision-support tools, and job aids to help officers work through situations they may face in the field.
The goal was to keep the process clear and usable so officers could better understand when Juvenile Intake should be contacted, what information needs to be provided, and what documentation is required.
Needs Assessment
This project started after prosecutors and Juvenile Intake staff identified recurring problems with incomplete reports, missed notifications, and questions from law enforcement officers about when a juvenile intake referral was required.
To better understand the need, Juvenile Intake staff sent surveys to area law enforcement agencies to identify the areas where officers needed the most support or clearer guidance. The survey results helped determine the topics, scenarios, and job aids included in the training so the project addressed actual field needs rather than assumed needs.
Implementation
The training was designed for use with law enforcement officers and Juvenile Intake staff through realistic scenarios, guided discussion, and performance-support materials. The goal was to give officers a clearer process for deciding when Juvenile Intake needed to be contacted and what information needed to be provided.
Scenario-based activities allowed learners to work through situations similar to what they may face in the field. Job aids and supporting materials were included so officers would have practical guidance they could use during and after the training.
Evaluation
The training can be evaluated by looking at how well officers apply the juvenile intake process during realistic scenarios and field-related practice. Key areas include whether officers recognize when Juvenile Intake should be contacted, provide the correct information, complete required documentation, and make appropriate intake decisions.
Feedback from Juvenile Intake staff, recurring report problems, and common questions from officers can also be used to identify areas that still need clarification. This information can then be used to improve the training, job aids, and scenarios over time.
Tools Used
Microsoft Word
Canva
PDF Development
Scenario-Based Design
Performance Support
Decision-Flow Development
Stakeholder/SME Consultation
ChatGPT