WASHINGTON – Results for America (RFA) CEO and Co-Founder Michele Jolin issued the following statement today in support of the evidence-based policy provisions in H.R. 1809, the bipartisan “Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017,” which was passed unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives today:
“Results for America commends the U.S. House of Representatives for taking bipartisan action to use data and evidence to improve the juvenile justice system in our country. We applaud the inclusion of a rigorous definition of evidence-based and promising programs, while directing state and local governments to invest in evidence-based solutions. We are also encouraged that the House bill requires an independent evaluation of juvenile justice grants. These evidence provisions will help state and local leaders better use data and evidence to improve outcomes for our nation’s youth. Bipartisan action like this demonstrates growing momentum at the federal level for taking a Moneyball approach to governing.”
H.R. 1809 contains a number of evidence-based policy provisions. The legislation defines what constitutes “evidence-based” and “promising” programs that are funded through the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). States must describe how they will use JJDPA funds to promote evidence-based and trauma-informed programs and practices. Under the Title V competitive grant program, state and local entities must spend their funds on evidence-based and promising practices, and they receive a priority for developing data-driven prevention plans, employing evidence-based prevention strategies, and conducting program evaluations. Finally, the legislation requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct an evaluation of selected JJDPA grantees.
About Results for America
Results for America is helping decision-makers at all levels of government harness evidence and data to make progress on great challenges. Our mission is to make investing in what works the “new normal,” so that when policymakers make decisions, they start by seeking the best evidence and data available, then use what they find to get better results.
In November, 2014, Results for America published Moneyball for Government, the national bestselling book that brings together a group of bipartisan leaders and makes the case for government at all levels to inform public policy and funding decisions by using the best possible data, evidence and evaluation about what works. In January, 2016, RFA published the second edition of Moneyball for Government featuring a new bipartisan chapter about the importance of using data and evidence to drive U.S. foreign assistance. Go to www.results4america.org for more information about Results for America.
###