Chapter 5: Case Assessment, Classification, and Management
Program Impact

There are many potential benefits from a program of client assessment, classification, and management. The lists below describe benefits that may accrue to youth, staff, and the program, agency, or jurisdiction (Fulton, Stone, and Gendreau, 1994; Howell, 1995; Wiebush et al., 1995; benefits to staff also in National Council on Crime and Delinquency, 1997). In some cases, an item might benefit more than one area, but each item is listed only once.

Benefits to Youth

• Promotes consistent and equitable treatment of all youth.
• Increases assessment accuracy.
• Serves youth in the least restrictive environment.

• Ensures the same factors are considered in all cases.
• Promotes consistency in the assessment process.
• Increases validity of assessment process because instruments are empirically based.
• Provides instruments that are easy to complete.
• Saves time and paperwork.
• Expedites the decisionmaking process.
• Makes the rationale for decisions explicit.
• Provides support for professional judgments.
• Provides clear policies and procedures for handling cases.
• Provides a degree of legal protection when making decisions on controversial cases.

• Increases public safety.
• Uses resources more efficiently.
• Is useful for program evaluation.
• Helps control populations in detention and corrections institutions.
• Defends budgeting decisions.
• Facilitates agency or program accreditation.
• Facilitates agency audits.