Why Use the TII-Juvenile?
TII-Juvenile results can be used in counseling and treatment program intake
assessment or for screening and referral, as warranted. The TII-Juvenile
provides an objective and standardized assessment of the youth tested. It can
be administered as a screening and referral test, at program intake, at
follow-up intervals of 30 days or more and at counseling or treatment
completion.
The TII-Juvenile has many advantages over an interview. For example, it is a
test with demonstrated reliability, validity and accuracy. It has been
standardized on troubled youths. Its Truthfulness Scale, Truth-Corrected
scores, expanding database, annual testing program summary, and ongoing
database research are very desirable features of this
test. In contrast, interviews are
subjective because interviewers must repeat, paraphrase and probe for
acceptable answers.
The TII-Juvenile was developed specifically for troubled youth screening. These
screenings can occur at HMO, EAP and social services’ offices to help determine
appropriate referral alternatives. The TII-Juvenile can also be administered at
counseling or treatment program intake, at 30-day intervals (minimum)
thereafter or prior to program completion.
It’s a fact that early problem identification facilitates timely intervention,
treatment and improved outcome results. There are many key points in juvenile
rehabilitation. First, problems need to be identified and, when present, the
youth needs to be referred for help. TII-Juvenile results help in deciding upon
appropriate referrals, the type of treatment needed and the level of care that
is warranted.
At one sitting of approximately 25 minutes’ duration, staff can acquire a vast
amount of helpful information that can influence subsequent intervention and
treatment recommendations. And, as noted earlier, early problem identification
facilitates timely referral and treatment.
Advantages of Screening
Screening or assessment instruments filter out individuals with serious problems
that may require referral for help. This filtering system works as follows:
Reference to the above table shows that a problem is not identified until a
scale score is at the 70th percentile or higher. These risk range
percentiles are calculated on the youths that have completed the TII-Juvenile.
This procedure is fair and avoids extremes such as over-identification and
under-identification of problems.
A department, agency, program or mental health professional might refer youths
with serious problems for further evaluation, counseling or treatment. In this
case (Severe Problem), 11% of the youths screened would be referred. In this
example, 89% of the youths screened would not be referred for additional and
often unnecessary services.
Budgetary savings (dollars) would be large with
no compromises in juveniles receiving appropriate evaluation and treatment
services.
Indeed, more juveniles would receive help. Without a screening program, there
is usually more risk of over or under-utilization of additional professional
services.
TII-Juvenile Test Booklet
TII-Juvenile test booklets are provided free. These booklets contain 143 items
and are written at a 5th to 6th grade reading level. If a
person can read the newspaper, they can read the TII-Juvenile test booklet.
Reports
In brief, TII-Juvenile reports summarize the youth’s self-report history,
explain what attained scale scores mean and offer specific score-related
recommendations.
Within 2 minutes of test data computer entry, automated (computer-scored)
three-page reports are printed on-site. These reports summarize a lot of
information in an easily understood format. For example, reports include a
TII-Juvenile profile (graph), which summarizes scale scores at a glance. Also
included are attained scale score paragraphs, an explanation of what each score
means and specific score-related recommendations. In addition, significant
items (direct admissions) are highlighted, and answers to a built-in interview
(last sequence of items) are presented. Emphasis is placed on having meaningful
reports that are helpful and easily understood.
An example TII-Juvenile report is presented at the end of this webpage. To go
directly to this example report, click on the
TII-Juvenile Example Report link.
Reliability and Validity
The TII-Juvenile has a proprietary built-in database that insures collection of
all tests administered in a confidential (no names) manner. These reliability
and validity statistics are reported in the document titled "TII: An Inventory
of Scientific Findings." Annual database analysis further demonstrates that
TII-Juvenile scales have very high reliability and validity coefficients.
The inter-item reliability (alpha) coefficients for the nine TII-Juvenile scales
are presented in the table below. All scales are highly reliable. All of the
reliability coefficient alphas for all TII-Juvenile scales were at or above
0.85. These results demonstrate that the TII-Juvenile is a very reliable
juvenile assessment test.
In summary, all 9 TII-Juvenile scales are highly reliable. And, validity
analysis demonstrated that the TII-Juvenile closely approximate predicted
percentages. It’s reasonable to conclude that the TII-Juvenile is a reliable,
valid and accurate test.
A TII-Juvenile research study is presented at the end of this webpage. To go
directly to this study, click on this TII-Juvenile Research Study link.
Software
The TII-Juvenile is available in MS-DOS and Windows. MS-DOS diskettes contain
all their own software. Windows diskettes require a one-time computer setup
procedure after which TII-Juvenile data (25 or 50 test applications) diskettes
are used to score and print reports. Training manuals are provided, and new
test users can be walked through these procedures over Risk & Needs
Assessment, Inc.’s (Risk & Needs') telephone line.
Proprietary TII-Juvenile data diskettes contain 25 or 50 test applications.
These 3½" and 5¼" diskettes score, interpret and print TII-Juvenile reports
on-site. Once a TII-Juvenile account is established, ordered diskettes are
mailed to users. Approximately 97% of orders are filled and mailed back to
users the day they are received. When all test applications on a diskette are
used, these diskettes are returned to Risk & Needs where the test data is
downloaded into the TII-Juvenile database.
The proprietary "delete names" program is activated by the test user with a few
keystrokes to delete all names from diskettes before they are returned to Risk
& Needs. Deleting all the youths’ names insures client confidentiality and
compliance with HIPAA (federal regulation 45 C.F.R. 164.501).
The "TII: Orientation and Training Manual" explains how the TII-Juvenile works
and should be read by staff. The "TII: Computer Operating Guide" explains how
to score tests, print or store reports and discusses other unique TII-Juvenile
computer-related features. These manuals are provided free to TII-Juvenile
users.
Database
The TII-Juvenile system contains a proprietary built-in database. Earlier, it
was noted that all used TII-Juvenile diskettes are returned to Risk &
Needs, and their test data is downloaded into the TII-Juvenile database. This
expanding database allows ongoing research and testing program summary --
features that were not possible before. To review a free summary report click
on the Annual Summary Reports link.
In summary, all returned TII-Juvenile diskettes’ test data is centrally filed at
Risk & Needs' offices in the TII-Juvenile database. This database has many
advantages. Database analysis permits ongoing cost efficient research that
includes scale alpha coefficients, ANOVA, frequency distributions,
correlations, cross-tab statistics along with reliability, validity and
accuracy determinations. And, annual testing program summary provides a vehicle
for program evaluation. To review TII-Juvenile research report click on the TII-Juvenile Research Study link.
Annual Summary Reports
Risk & Needs can access each of its tests' built-in databases for
statistical analysis and summarization of all tests administered in a year.
Annual Summary Reports are prepared for state, department, agency and even some
individual providers -- at no cost to them. These reports are provided as a
professional courtesy to large volume test users. Summary reports include
demographics, court-history when relevant, and test statistics (reliability,
validity and accuracy). Has anyone offered to summarize your testing program?
Annually? At no additional cost to you? Minimum testing volume for annual
reports is 350 tests. There is no maximum limit. Risk & Needs' annual
reports range in size from 350 tests to over 55,000 tests annually. An example
Annual Summary Report can be viewed by clicking on this Annual Summary Reports link.
Staff Member Input
The TII-Juvenile is to be used in conjunction with experienced staff judgment.
Experienced staff should interview the juvenile being tested. For these
reasons, the following statement is contained in each TII-Juvenile report:
"TII-Juvenile results are confidential and should be considered working
hypotheses. No diagnosis or decision should be based solely upon these results.
Use only with experienced staff judgment."
Unique TII-Juvenile Features
Truthfulness Scale:
Identifies denial, problem minimization and
faking. It is now known that many juveniles attempt to minimize their problems.
A Truthfulness Scale is a necessary component in contemporary tests. The
TII-Juvenile Truthfulness Scale has been validated with the Minnesota
Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), polygraph exams, other tests,
truthfulness studies and experienced staff judgment. The TII-Juvenile
Truthfulness Scale has been demonstrated to be reliable, valid and accurate. In
some respects, the TII-Juvenile Truthfulness Scale is similar to the MMPI’s L
and F-Scales. It consists of a number of items that most people agree or
disagree with.
Truth-Corrected Scores:
Have proven to be very important for assessment accuracy. This proprietary
truth correction process is comparable to the MMPI's K-Scale correction. The
TII-Juvenile Truthfulness Scale has been correlated with the other 5 scales.
The Truth Correction equation converts raw scores to Truth-Corrected scores.
Truth-Corrected scores are more accurate than raw scores. Raw scores reflect
what the juvenile wants you to know. Truth-Corrected scores reveal what the
juvenile is attempting to hide.
Stress Coping Abilities Scale:
Measures how well the juvenile handles stress, tension and pressure. And, we
now know that stress exacerbates emotional and mental health symptomatology.
This scale is a non-introversive way to screen for established (diagnosable)
mental health problems. A person scoring at or above the 90th percentile
on the Stress Coping Abilities Scale should be referred to a certified mental
health professional for a more comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and
treatment plan. This important area of inquiry is missed by many other
assessment tests.
More than just another alcohol or drug test.
In addition to alcohol and drugs, the TII-Juvenile assesses other important
areas of inquiry like truthfulness, denial and faking, family issues,
emotional/mental health problems, etc. The TII-Juvenile is specifically
designed for juvenile screening.
Three ways to give the TII-Juvenile.
The TII-Juvenile can be administered in three different ways:
1. Paper-pencil
test booklet format is the most popular testing procedure. TII-Juvenile English
and Spanish test booklets and answer sheets are available.
2.
Tests can be given directly on the computer screen. Some agencies dedicate
computers for TII-Juvenile testing. And,
3.
Human voice audio in English or Spanish is available. These three test
administration modes are discussed in the "TII: Orientation and Training
Manual." Each test administration mode has advantages and some limitations.
Risk & Needs offers these three test modes so test users can select the
administration mode that is optimally suited to their needs.
Reading Impaired Assessment:
Reading impaired juveniles represent 20+ percent of the juveniles tested. This
represents a serious problem to other treatment tests. Risk & Needs has
developed an alternative for dealing with this problem:
Human Voice Audio.
Human Voice Audio:
Presentation of the TII-Juvenile is in English and Spanish. Juveniles’
passive vocabularies are often greater than their active vocabularies. Hearing
items read out loud often helps reduce cultural and communication problems.
This administration mode requires earphones and simple instructions to orient
the juvenile to the up-down arrow keys on the computer keyboard. Human Voice
Audio is an alternative approach for screening reading impaired juveniles.
Confidentiality:
Risk & Needs encourages test users to delete juvenile names from diskettes
before they are returned to Risk & Needs. Once juvenile names are deleted,
they are gone and cannot be retrieved. Deleting juvenile names does not delete
demographics or test data, which is downloaded into the TII-Juvenile database
for subsequent analysis. This proprietary name deletion procedure involves a
few keystrokes and insures juvenile confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA
(federal regulation 45 C.F.R. 164.501).
Test Data Input Verification:
Allows the person that inputs test data from the answer sheet into the computer
to verify the accuracy of their data input. In brief, test data is input twice,
and any inconsistencies between the first and second data entries are
highlighted until corrected. When the first and second data entries match or
are the same, the staff person can continue. This proprietary Data Input
Verification procedure is optional, yet strongly recommended by Risk &
Needs.
Inventory of Scientific Findings:
Much of the TII-Juvenile research has been gathered together in a document
titled "TII: An Inventory of Scientific Findings." This document summarizes
TII-Juvenile research chronologically -- as the studies were completed. This
chronological reporting format was established largely because of the
TII-Juvenile database, which permits annual database analysis of all tests
administered.
Orientation and Training Manual:
The "TII: Orientation and Training Manual" (O&T Manual) explains how the
TII-Juvenile works. It is a must read for staff that will be using the
TII-Juvenile. O&T Manual content includes, but is not limited to, the
following: instructions for testing, an explanation of how scores are derived,
a description of unique TII-Juvenile features and much more.
Computer Operating Guide:
Some computer operators want more information than others. Consequently, Risk
& Needs provides a One-Page Quick Start, which includes basic instructions
for scoring TII-Juveniles, and a more comprehensive "TII: Computer Operating
Guide." The Computer Operating Guide contains instructions for using MS-DOS as
well as Windows software. This manual discusses hardware, software, scoring,
printing reports, unique program features and much more.
Staff Training:
Risk & Needs' staff is available to participate in TII-Juvenile training
programs conducted by statewide programs, departments and high volume agencies
in the United States. Sometimes, smaller volume providers get together for
collective (multiple providers) on-site training. Risk & Needs typically
participates in 4-hour or 6-hour TII-Juvenile training sessions. This training
can include hands-on computer scoring, as desired. Risk & Needs gives
attendees certificates attesting to their TII-Juvenile training.
Staff training is also provided on Fridays at Risk & Needs' Phoenix offices
from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. These training
sessions are free. To participate, contact Risk & Needs at least ten days
in advance. Participation is on a first call, first scheduled basis.
Test Unit Fee (Cost):
TII-Juvenile cost information can be reviewed by clicking on the Test Unit Fee (Cost) link. There is only
the one cost or charge, and that is the test unit fee. Everything else is
included at no additional cost to the test user. This includes test booklets,
answer sheets, training manuals, upgrades, ongoing database research, annual
summary testing reports, staff training, and support services. Do not be misled
by some test publishers' à la carte pricing like separate costs for each test
administration as well as for each of the test-related items listed above.
Instead of asking for the test administration cost, ask for the total cost
involved in using a test. We believe Risk & Needs' one test unit fee is
very affordable.
Juvenile Violence Interview (JVI):
Is a "structured interview" that consists of 60 multiple choice items.
Each item has four answers. The answer selected for each item is printed in the
JVI report. The JVI is available to Risk & Needs juvenile test users free.
The JVI augments Risk & Needs juvenile tests and helps develop a violence
profile. The JVI is
not
a test and is
not
to be used as a standalone assessment procedure or test. It takes 15 minutes to
complete the JVI. For more information on the Juvenile Violence Interview click
on the
JVI link.
Free Examination Kit:
A 1-test TII-Juvenile demonstration diskette is available on a 30-day cost free
basis. Demo diskettes are in MS-DOS format so that the software is contained on
the diskette. This way, the one-time Windows setup program is avoided at the
demo level. The examination kit contains a 1-test demo diskette, test booklet
(reusable), an answer sheet (can photocopy), a "TII: Orientation and Training
Manual," One-Page Quick Start and some descriptive information. Risk &
Needs does want the demonstration diskette and test booklet returned within 30
days of receipt. To request a free examination kit, click on the Free Examination Kit Request link.
How to Proceed:
To become a Risk & Needs test user, click on the Agreement &
Proposals link, click on the
Print Client User Agreement
button and fax the completed form to
(602) 266-8227, or mail your completed
form to Risk & Needs. Upon its receipt by Risk & Needs, you become a
Risk & Needs test user and can order tests. Established Risk & Needs
test users can reorder tests by mail, telephone, fax or e-mail.
Other related links are listed for reference. They are available as needed.
Test Unit Fee (Cost) webpage link.
Explains Risk & Needs' Test Unit Fees or Costs.
New Client Order webpage link. Explains
steps to become a "new Risk & Needs client."
How to Order webpage link. Explains how
Risk & Needs tests can be ordered.
Additional information can be provided upon request. Contact Risk & Needs
Assessment, Inc., P.O. Box 44828, Phoenix, Arizona 85064-4828. Risk &
Needs' telephone number is
(602) 234-3506, our fax number is
(602) 266-8227
and our e-mail address is
hhl@riskandneeds.com.
Support Services:
Risk & Needs provides a full range of support services. These services
include e-mail, fax and telephone availability, provision of test-related
information, telephone walk through assistance, staff training and test
consultation. Support services and test-related materials are provided free.
Selecting a Juvenile Screening and Referral or Intake Test
If you are selecting a screening and referral and/or intake screening test for
juveniles, the following Comparison Checklist should prove helpful. It lists
important screening test qualities. The "Other" column represents any other
test you might want to compare to the TII-Juvenile.
