The Research and Evaluation
Staff compile existing research and information related to DMC and work
with the state of Iowa and selected sites to conduct data analysis and
information dissemination.
New DMC Matrices Using the Relative Rate Index
As part of the reauthorization
of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDP Act), the
federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
designed matrices states are required to submit with their annual JJDP
Act formula grant application. The matrices present major decision points
and compare processing “rates” by race and ethnicity through
the relative rate index. DMC previously focused on comparing “percentages”
of minority youth at confinement with their representation in the general
population. The "relative rate index" (RRI) is a way to compare
processing rates of minority youth compared to White youth. If the processing
rate for minority youth is identical to those of White youth, the relative
rate index is a "1." For a step-by-step explanation of the new
method, see the power point at: DMC
Resource Center. The DMC Res. Ctr encourages users of the matrices
to examine the population based rate tab, examine each group and consider
what an "acceptable rate" is in addition to the relative rate.