Renewing Arizona
Family Traditions

2001
Annual Report

Arizona Supreme Court
Administrative Office of the Courts
Juvenile Justice Services Division
April 2001

Table of Contents
I.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

II.

Provider Agencies and Geographic Service Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

III.

Service Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

IV.

Direct and Indirect Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
A.
B.

All Counties - Direct/Indirect Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
By Region - Direct/Indirect Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

V.

RAFT Emergency Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

VI.

Demographic Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

VII.

A.

Gender of Youth:

B.

Ethnicity of Youth:

All Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
By Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
By Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12
13
14
15

Intakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
A.
B.

Referrals All Counties/ By Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Total Intakes By County/ By Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

VIII. Discharge and Outcome Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
IX.

Discharge and Outcome Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
A.
B.
C.

X.

Discharges/Outcomes-All Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Discharges By Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Outcomes By Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

RAFT Clinical Forums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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I.

Introduction

The Renewing Arizona Family Traditions (RAFT) program has completed another year responding to the
needs of Arizona’s youth and families by providing intensive, family-oriented services to court referred
youth. In this, the second annual report for the RAFT program, the AOC reviews the successes as well
as the opportunities for growth within the RAFT program.
Adolescents with serious behavior issues are traditionally one of the hardest populations to treat
successfully. In response to this difficulty, approaches to working with such populations have evolved from
removing adolescents from the home toward treating the youth and family within the family unit. This
movement toward family preservation using a multi-systems approach was first introduced to the Arizona
Juvenile Courts by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in January of 1994 as the Renewing
Arizona Family Traditions (RAFT) program. The RAFT concept is based on the Homebuilder’s model,
developed in 1974 by Doctors Jill Kinney and David Haapala to help families who were not successful in
community-based programs. RAFT is an intensive in-home, therapeutic, case management and skillsoriented model of intervention. RAFT providers’ timely and intense interventions involve diffusing immediate
crises, therapeutically engaging the family, developing goals with the family, teaching skills to family
members, and providing case management, with the ultimate goal of eliminating or reducing the amount of
court involvement with the juvenile.
RAFT is not a preventative program for low-risk offenders, but is intended to intervene in high risk
situations with multi-need families. The child or adolescent may be at risk of being removed from the family
or family violence may threaten the stability of the family. RAFT intervenes and responds immediately in
a wide variety of areas beyond the scope of many other intervention programs.
Therapists employed to deliver RAFT services are required to possess a masters degree with training
and/or experience in counseling or social work. The program model uses a single therapist to deliver the
intensive services. The RAFT program supports the philosophy that the most effective therapeutic work
occurs when the therapist is involved in doing concrete tasks with the family rather than doing traditional
“talk therapy.”
Services follow the client (home, school, neighborhood) rather than the client and family coming to the
service. RAFT preservationists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Therapists work closely
and intensively with the youth and family, often having daily contact when necessary. Perhaps most
importantly for families in crisis, RAFT preservationists focus on immediate, maximum effort by the staff,
youth and family to attain goals which de-escalate the crisis and create stability.
These differences between RAFT and traditional approaches have been identified as the very elements
which attribute to the program’s effectiveness. The responsiveness to the youth and family’s needs, the
flexibility of services, the setting where services occur, and the length and intensity of services are noted as
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major contributors to the success of the RAFT model.
The RAFT program has evolved in response to several programmatic issues that have materialized since
its inception in 1994. The original model was a crisis oriented, short term (four to six weeks long),
therapeutic program without case management. RAFT providers had difficulty identifying communitybased, lower intensity follow-up services within the original four to six week time frame. Additionally, the
availability of follow up services in rural areas was a problem.
In response to these issues, the RAFT program was changed in February 1999 to include case
management as well as therapeutic and skill development services. The RAFT model also changed from
purely a short term crisis intervention orientation to a goal-based performance model. Referrals now include
intensive family reunification and social reintegration services to juveniles transitioning from detention, shelter
or out of home placement who are in need of stabilization and support.
The revised RAFT program has responded to other issues as well. Geographic coverage under the initial
RAFT model was often limited, especially in rural areas. The number of families and clients which could
be served was also highly limited. Under the revised model, the AOC has been able to expand both
geographic coverage and the capacity of the service by giving the contracted providers the administrative
authority to use therapists for services other than RAFT, as long as staff availability for RAFT services is
maintained.
RAFT contracts are performance-based and the contractors are financially incentivized to produce positive
outcomes through a stepped case rate reimbursement payment process. The contractor is paid in
“increments” as they deliver the services to the clients and meet established performance goals. For
example, the contract pays a higher rate for an intake completed within 24 hours of referral than one that
is completed within 7 days. The contractor who successfully discharges a client according to established
criteria is paid a significant incentive. Conversely, the contractor does not receive an incentive for a client
who is not successfully discharged. Finally, the contractor receives an additional significant incentive
payment for clients who meet established outcome criteria 180 days post discharge. In this way,
contractors are encouraged to develop treatment plans and deliver services in ways that promote long term
success.
The AOC believes that evaluating its contracted services helps improve the effectiveness of those services.
This report will examine the RAFT program through a presentation of the data collected by the AOC
through its contract providers and other sources. The data outlined include provider agencies, service types
provided, demographic data, and outcomes. The data cited cover the period from July 2000 through June
2001.
The AOC relies on the provider agencies to collect and report the demographic data, discharge and
outcome data, and number and type of service hours provided. In the past two years, the AOC has
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discovered that the data reported by the provider agencies is not subjected to rigorous quality assurance.
The AOC is in the process of addressing this data collection and reporting problem with the provider
agencies with a goal of resolving this accuracy issue by the end of fiscal year 2003.

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II.

Provider Agencies and Geographic Service Responsibilities

Regions I, II and III - Arizona’s Children Association
Arizona’s Children Association provides RAFT services to three regions in Arizona. Region I is now a
three county region which originally included Coconino, Navajo, Yavapai, Mohave, and Apache counties.
Apache county was later incorporated into Region II, and Mohave county probation uses a modified home
based counseling program for their service model instead of RAFT. This model is entitled Mohave County
Building Up Families Services (MCBUFS). This program was not active in fiscal year 2001 due to
provider issues.
Arizona’s Children Association joined in a subcontract with West Yavapai Guidance Clinic and the Verde
Valley Guidance Clinic to deliver services to the three remaining northern Arizona counties: Coconino,
Yavapai and Navajo.
Region II includes Apache, Gila, Graham, Greenlee and Pinal counties. Arizona’s Children Association
joined in a subcontract with Pinal Hispanic Council to deliver services in Pinal County, and with Rim
Guidance in Gila County. Region III includes Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties.
Region IV - Arizona Baptist Children’s Services
Arizona Baptist Children’s Services (ABCS) provides RAFT services in Region IV, which includes
Maricopa, Yuma and La Paz counties. ABCS has been involved with the RAFT program in Arizona since
its inception in 1994.
The map on the following page shows each region and the agency which provides services to that region.

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III.

Service Descriptions

RAFT providers throughout the state offer a wide variety of services to meet the needs of the youth and
families with whom they work. The ultimate goal of RAFT services is to reduce recidivism. This goal is
achieved using a variety of techniques and interventions which fall into three main categories of service:
Case Management, Psycho-educational and Therapeutic. A description of each is provided below.
Case Management Services
RAFT therapists take an active role in securing community and faith-based supports for their clients and
families. These services include locating assistance for families with paying bills, identifying interim housing,
or applying for temporary financial assistance.
School support is another important aspect of case management services. The therapist works with school
administrators, teachers and school counselors to put plans in place to support youth in school. When
formal schooling is not an option, alternative education may be recommended for the client. It may also be
an option for the client’s parent(s) who are interested in pursuing their education.
If mental health issues are identified for the client or family, RAFT therapists assist in accessing these
services through the Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA). The RAFT therapist is responsible for
coordinating RAFT services with other mental or behavioral health treatment services delivered through
the RBHA.
Clients and families frequently require general health care. When such needs are identified, the therapist
works with the family to obtain medical coverage for youth, siblings and parents through Title XIX.
RAFT therapists work with families to take advantage of community-based resources such as Job Training
Partnership Act, and with support programs such as the Boys and Girls Clubs. As one RAFT therapist
expressed, “You have to be imaginative and do whatever it takes to meet the child’s needs.”
Psycho-educational Services
RAFT therapists provide a great deal of issue-related education to their clients. For example, therapists
may work with parents to help them understand the dynamics of their child’s substance abuse. They may
strive to help the family break dysfunctional patterns by providing all of the family members with information
about their role in these patterns and encouraging new ways of relating to one another.
Parenting skills development is often an area of need for the parents with whom RAFT providers work.
RAFT providers may address this need by intervening directly to de-escalate situations between parents
and youth, modeling and coaching preferred behaviors or even referring parents to parenting skills classes.
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RAFT therapists teach parents to provide structure, set boundaries, develop and enforce rules, and deliver
appropriate discipline.
Therapeutic Services
RAFT therapists typically need to deliver intensive services, working individually with clients, or with youth
and family members together. Often, therapists have to work hard just to rebuild family unity prior to
beginning any client specific interventions. According to a RAFT therapist, “Parents get so tired of their
child’s disruptive behavior, they may feel ready to give up. We work to help parents get back in control.”
Therapists may have to work separately with the parent and child until they are ready to be brought
together.
RAFT therapists occasionally find that parents and other family members are very motivated to support
changes in the youth, but are resistant to making changes themselves. In most cases, this resistance can be
overcome and improvement in both the client and family occur, but sometimes a RAFT therapist must
assist the youth in developing other support systems in addition to the immediate family.
In addition to the variety of case management, psycho-educational and therapeutic services, RAFT
therapists may assume the role of mentor with the individual youths they counsel. They may meet with the
youth once or twice a week in this revised role to talk about school, sports, or friends. The RAFT therapist
typically serves in this mentoring role to help transition the youth and family to other, more long-term
community based support systems.

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IV.

Direct and Indirect Hours

RAFT service hours are classified as either direct or indirect. Direct hours include therapeutic sessions with
the youth and family, skill development with the youth and family, crisis intervention, and case management
activities requiring direct involvement with the client. Indirect hours include such activities as advocating for
the client with his/her school and other community providers, accessing community resources for the client,
accessing economic and social support systems on the client’s behalf, and progress note and report writing.
The graphs on pages eight and nine provide a report of RAFT therapists’ direct and indirect hours.

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V.

RAFT Emergency Funds

Emergency fund monies are available for providing emergency services to referred client families. RAFT
emergency fund use is not to exceed $400 per family. Each provider must develop a written policy and
procedure for their RAFT emergency fund, and all disbursements or use of emergency funds must be in
accordance with AOC approved policy and procedure. RAFT emergency funds are required to be kept
in a separate account and available for AOC review. The following are highlights of the provider agencies’
emergency fund policies.
Emergency Fund Policy and Use:
<

Arizona Baptist Children’s Services
Emergency funds are available for RAFT clients in crisis requiring financial assistance to
mitigate the crisis. Emergency funds are available for rent, utilities, food, clothing,
transportation, repairs, and certain medical expenses.
From July 2000 through June 2001, Arizona Baptist Children’s Services served 79 youth
and their families with $20,024.71 in emergency funds. This is an average of $253.48 per
client and family served.

<

Arizona’s Children Association
Emergency funds are for stabilizing a family during crisis, and are to be used only if they
will reduce the stress and tension a family is experiencing due to lack of resources. A petty
cash box is maintained for RAFT preservationists, who may utilize up to $50 for immediate
emergency needs without authorization from their supervisor. Should the family require
additional emergency funds, the monies used from the petty cash fund will be subtracted
from the $400 available for the family’s use. The agency budgets $100 per family,
recognizing many families will be served through RAFT where no emergency funds are
needed. RAFT emergency funds are available for assistance with rent, utilities, medical
treatment, safety and essential comfort of living environment, food, transportation, and
clothing.
From July 2000 through June 2001, Arizona’s Children Association provided $1436.45
in emergency funds to 25 youth and their families, for an average of $57.46 per client and
family.

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VI.

Demographic Information

The graphs on pages 12 and 13 represent the gender breakdown of RAFT clients, statewide and by region.
The graphs on pages 14 and 15 represent the ethnicity of RAFT clients, statewide and by region.

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VII.

Intakes

RAFT providers must accept youth who meet the following intake criteria:
A.

Incorrigibility/ Delinquency: Youth who present to the court and family with incorrigible or
delinquent behaviors which threaten the stability and unity of the family, and whose family
is willing to learn how to improve parenting skills and positively impact their youth’s
behaviors.

B.

Substance Abuse: The youth and perhaps other family members present with substance
abuse problems, but are interested in and available for assistance with education, treatment
and other skill development and improvement.

C.

Family Violence: Documented evidence exists that physical violence has existed in the
family with a high likelihood that renewed or escalated violence will occur. Family members
must express a commitment to learn new ways of expressing anger in non-violent ways.

D.

Behavioral Health: The youth or family member presents with a serious behavioral health
problem negatively impacting family stability, but which may be addressed through a
combination of medication, treatment and skill development.

E.

Sexual Behavior: The youth is engaging in promiscuous sexual behaviors in or outside of
the home and/or the family’s sexual boundaries are contributing to inappropriate sexual
behaviors.

RAFT providers may deny or terminate services according to the following criteria:
A.

The family’s location is unknown.

B.

The therapist cannot gain access to or contact the family after multiple documented
attempts.

C.

The youth/family presents a risk which is highly dangerous or life threatening.

D.

The youth/family adamantly refuses services and will not cooperate.

Once the RAFT provider receives the referral from the juvenile court, the AOC prefers that the provider
make face-to-face contact with the client and complete a written assessment of the family within 24 hours
of receipt of the referral. If the referral is designated by the county probation department as a crisis referral,
the intake and assessment must be completed within 24 hours of the provider’s receipt if the referral. For
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all referrals, if face-to-face contact within 24 hours is not possible, then telephone contact is required and
must be documented. If the referral is not designated as a crisis referral, the provider then has seven days
to make face-to-face contact with the youth and family and complete the initial assessment form.

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VIII.

Discharge and Outcome Criteria

The AOC contracts with each of the RAFT provider agencies using an incentivized case rate. The provider
is paid an incentivized rate for intake, a set rate for acceptance of a case, an incentive for successful
discharge, and a final incentive payment for a successful outcome 180 days after discharge.
A successful discharge in the RAFT program is measured by the following criteria:
A.

The problem behaviors for which the client/family was referred have been eliminated or
diminished and the family is stable as may be evidenced by documented achievement of
service plan goals.

B.

The youth remains in the home or has been successfully transitioned from an out of home
environment to the home or other relevant environment.

C.

The youth is actively attending school and achieving passing grades or is actively pursuing
alternative education and/or is employed or seeking employment.

D.

The youth is compliant with the terms of probation

The target performance goals of RAFT are that 80 per cent of RAFT referrals accepted into service will
be successfully discharged, and 80 per cent of RAFT clients will not have been removed from the home
during the six month period following discharge.
Successful outcome is measured against the following criteria:
A.

The client remains in the home with no removal for out of home placement, detention on
a new charge or detention or probation violation for longer then 72 hours, with no runaway
for longer than 7 days, no commitment to the Department of Juvenile Corrections, or
transferred to adult court and placed on probation or sentenced to the Department of
Corrections;
AND

B.

The client is meeting the terms of probation and has not received any new referrals
excluding status offenses;
AND

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C.

The client is attending school and achieving passing grades, or, if not in school, is actively
pursuing alternative education and/or is employed.

Clients who are not successfully discharged due to their lack of compliance with one or more of the
program’s discharge criteria may still be tracked to determine whether they meet the criteria for a successful
outcome. The provider agencies may then report and bill the AOC for a successful outcome if the client
meets the successful outcome criteria six months after discharge, even if the discharge was unsuccessful.
The graph on page 23 shows a total of 337 youth statewide who completed RAFT services from July 2000
through June 2001, as well as whether the youth were successfully or unsuccessfully discharged, and
whether their case was considered a successful or unsuccessful outcome (successful or unsuccessful
outcomes are measured 180 days after discharge). The graph on page 24 shows successful and
unsuccessful discharges by region, and the graph on page 25 shows successful and unsuccessful outcomes
by region.

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IX.

Discharge and Outcome Statistics

Please refer to the charts on pages 23, 24 and 25.

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X.

RAFT Clinical Forums

The AOC is committed to the continuing development of the RAFT service. Quarterly training forums have
been sponsored and facilitated by the AOC for RAFT therapists, program supervisors, probation officers
and probation supervisors since the service’s inception. The forums aid in fostering understanding and
cooperation between the probation departments and providers.
RAFT forums have delivered a wide variety of clinical information and training to the attendees. Therapist
safety in the client home, overcoming resistant families, substance abuse issues, domestic violence, and a
host of other topics have been delivered throughout the years. Experienced therapists have used the forums
to share their insights with their colleagues and probation staff. Probation staff have trained on court
process, needs and procedures in order to help the providers understand and meet the court’s needs. In
fiscal year ‘02, the RAFT forum featured a professor of social work who presented a review of empirical
theories entitled, “What Works? Evidence Based Practice with Children and Adolescents.” In addition,
the forum featured an overview of the adult probation system designed to give providers knowledge of the
similarities and differences between the juvenile and adult probation systems.
Therapists and probation officers have used the forums to communicate their need for support from each
other when faced with resistant families and to form partnerships for improved services. The training
opportunity is unique and the benefits to therapists, probation officers and the families they serve is
ultimately a benefit to Arizona.

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