Evidence Based Practices Quality Assurance Project

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

To advance its primary goal of crime reduction, the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department committed to an Evidence Based Practice (EBP) Initiative, understanding that the effective implementation of EBP would be a complex undertaking an involve a multiyear evolution process. Recognizing the overarching principle of quality assurance, along with the ongoing need to promote a positive learning environment, three Quality Assistance (QA) supervisor positions were created in August 2007 to assist with the implementation of EBP into the organizational culture of the department. A quality assurance plan was developed and the QA supervisors have played significant role in the training and coaching of staff, as well as the dissemination of information geared to improve staff’s understanding and use of the techniques that work. Approximately 70 trainings have been provided to increase staff knowledge of evidence-based practice including assessment and case planning. Evaluation has demonstrated advances in staff’s EBP skill level. Significantly, the department has achieved an 11 percent reduction in the number of probationers revoked to prison.