Drug Addiction, Brain Science and Incentives. Are You a Probation Officer, Adult or Adolescent on Probation, a Family Member Trying to Figure It Out?: We Have an App For That!

Ryan Brannon, CEO, My New Leaf, Inc

John Cookus, MS

This workshop will summarize the current application of using mobile technology within the drug and alcohol recovery and the criminal and juvenile justice settings as it helps to support current trends in reforming these systems. Participants will receive a glimpse into the early stage UX (User Experience) design for a youth oriented mobile app and a web-based companion application for parole offices using the theoretical design promoted by the Annie E. Casey Publication White Paper (June, 2018), "Transforming Juvenile Probation: A Vision for Getting It Right." This is not another GPS compliance based tool for probation officers, MyNewLeaf (MNL) is a personalized application for those in recovery and/or on probation. Probation Officers (POs) get a day-to-day glimpse into the emotional struggles and successes for every individual on their caseload. Family members can opt in to get an up close glimpse of their loved one's triumphs and challenges while providing real time assistance when necessary. For the adolescent on probation, POs and family members can set real individualized goals, find services within their neighborhoods, and include incentives that are well within the youth's reach and best yet, all accessible in an incredibly gamified and technologically advanced visual way.

Objectives:

1. List the theoretical reasons why diverting youth from prison will benefit youth, families and community organizations as partners and motivating youth primarily through rewards, incentives and opportunities to explore their interests and develop skills rather than by threats of punishment.
2. Inspect the evidence on adolescent behavior and brain development and evidence about intervention strategies that consistently reduce delinquency, the knowledge exists now to get juvenile probation right through the reform strategy likely to deliver the best results for the most young people, with nearly a half million given some form of probation annually.
3. Analyze, critique and rate the preliminary UX (user experience) design for a custom juvenile justice app and a web-based probation companion application for parole offices that reflect the evidence-based principles involving behavioral incentives to remain in the community and participate in constructive and therapeutic activities.
   

Target Audience: Clinical personnel, counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, educators, criminal justice professionals, health care professionals.

Basic to Intermediate level. CE credits offered = 1.5 contact hours.