Developing Data and Feedback for Adult Felony Drug Courts

1. Developing Data and Feedback for Adult Felony Drug Courts Brian Backus Washington State Center for Court Research

2. Background The Superior Court Judges Association asked that the Washington State Center for Court Research (WSCCR): • "Begin a process for identifying and coordinating the collection of necessary data related to drug courts on a statewide basis; • "Conduct analysis of the data as appropriate; • "Report its summary findings at agreed upon intervals." (December 8, 2011 letter to Judge Anne Schindler, Chair of the WSCCR Advisory Board) WSCCR -- Data and Feedback for Adult Felony Drug Courts

3. Scope Collect data from drug courts statewide In order to provide useful information to judges and court managers To enable performance measurement, assess effectiveness, identify areas for improvement and help sustain the therapeutic court model. WSCCR -- Data and Feedback for Adult Felony Drug Courts

4. Project Steps • Work with courts to understand drug court process and identify key data elements • Create mechanism for data collection • Collect data • Analysis • Provide results to judges and managers WSCCR -- Data and Feedback for Adult Felony Drug Courts

5. Implementation Request limited set of data from courts in early 2013. • First iteration of scheduled, periodic collection. • To the extent practicable, obtain data from inception of each court. Assemble data received and assess results. Request enhanced set of data (starting in 2014 ?). Future: Develop data for other problem solving courts. WSCCR -- Data and Feedback for Adult Felony Drug Courts

6. Contact Information Brian Backus Washington State Center for Court Research Administrative Office of the Courts brian.backus@courts.wa.gov 360-704-5517 WSCCR -- Data and Feedback for Adult Felony Drug Courts