The Research and Evaluation
Staff compile existing research and information related to DMC and work
with local sites and the state gather and analyze data and
information for 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 (DRI or disproprotionality rate index). The "relative rate index" (RRI) is an improved way to compare
rates. If the processing
rate for one race/ethnic category of youth is identical to that of another, the relative
rate index is a "1." For a step-by-step explanation of the new
method, see the power point click here. The DMC Resource Center 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.
RELATIVE RATE INDEX
TABLES - State and Targeted Sites provided by Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning [for access to NCJJ population data click
here]
