Created in 2000, the DJJS is responsible for delivering services to 2,500 youth each day. The DJJS works from a strength-based perspective, which views juvenile clients as potential assets to the community. The goal of the DJJS is to help juvenile clients reach the goal of being assets to their communities, while also enhancing community safety. In order to meet this goal, DJJS created a risk and needs assessment instrument that measures clients’ risk and protective factors from a strength-based perspective. The development of the assessment instrument relied heavily on the work of treatment program consultant, Dr. Eric Vance. The assessment instrument was developed with the goal of determining which protective factors are missing in the lives of juveniles entering the justice system. DJJS can then use the information to add the missing protective factors, thereby increasing the strength and resilience of delinquent youths. After the assessment instrument was completed, DJJS evaluated the instrument by administering it to all youths entering the juvenile justice system through two pilot offices during a 6-month period in 2003. The preliminary data indicated that the instrument identified the expected profiles of prevalent risk factors. The two most prevalent areas of need were identified as social support and community involvement. Once the assessment instrument is finalized, DJJS plans to use it to target rehabilitative services for DJJS youth. DJJS’s commitment to a strength-based perspective enables the positive development of at-risk youth. Endnotes