What is the PACT and how is it used to help my child?
The Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) is used to assess a delinquent youth’s risks and needs and guides treatment recommendations. The assessment process begins with a PACT Pre-Screen interview administered to all youth referred to DJJ. The initial assessment takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete. A single PACT Pre-Screen interview at intake assists the Juvenile Probation Officer to identify if a youth is in need of further mental health, alcohol, or substance abuse assessment. A more detailed assessment (called the PACT Full Assessment) is given to youth who score at Moderate-High or High risk to re-offend on the PACT Pre-Screen. Information from the PACT Full Assessment can be used to develop plans specific to the youth’s identified needs. The Department calls this plan the Youth Empowered Success (YES) Plan.
