Ala. Admin. Code r. 950-1-3-.11

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 950-1-3-.11 - Conducting The Risk Assessment

(1) Treatment Providers shall conduct a Risk Assessment of youth with illegal sexual behavior problems to provide to the court of original jurisdiction in order to facilitate the court's determination of the risk the Juvenile poses to the community. This Risk Assessment shall follow the guidance provided by the Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act that is applicable to adjudicated Juvenile criminal sex offenders. The Risk Assessment shall be approved and signed by a licensed mental health professional that meets the standards herein.

(a) The Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act requires that Treatment Providers provide information to the committing court, sixty (60) days prior to recommended discharge, levels of risk that the Juvenile poses to the community. In addition, the Risk Assessment should systematically follow a proscribed format. The issues that shall be included in the Risk Assessment include, but are not limited to, the following: criminal history, mental status, attitude, previous sex offender treatment, response to treatment, social factors, conditions of Release expected to minimize risk of sexual re-offending, and characteristics of the Criminal Sex Offense. There is an evolving knowledge base of factors identified as important to completing accurate Risk Assessment or as otherwise provided by law. Other factors such as victim empathy, social skill development, and psychosexual development level, age appropriate behavior, and anger management and control are typically incorporated in model risk assessment tools. The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA), an international organization that provides guidance to practitioners responsible for the treatment of youth with illegal sexual behavior problems, regularly disseminates information regarding best practice approaches for this population, including specialized risk assessment instruments. Practitioners providing treatment services to youth with illegal sexual behavior problems shall be familiar with the clinical guidance provided by ATSA, and ensure that this knowledge is continuously based on best practice approaches.

New Rule: August 16, 2002; effective September 20, 2002.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 02, November 30, 2018, eff. 12/21/2018.

Author: Department of Youth Services

Statutory Authority: Title 44; Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 15-20-1 through 15-20-36; §§ 13A-6-60 through 13A-6-111.