Evidence Based Practices

The Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) team provides technical support for research initiatives, strategic planning, teaching quality-assurance tools aligned with EBP competencies and specialty program development.

The team promotes data-driven decision making to improve program prioritization, enhance staff skills and core correctional competencies, and reinforce risk-reduction strategies aimed at reducing recidivism. EBP staff provide guidance on best practices and principles of effective interventions and offer technical assistance to support policy updates, automation improvements, and operational practices. These efforts help ensure adherence to Risk, Need, and Responsivity (RNR) principles and contribute to improved outcomes for individuals under supervision.

The EBP team delivers training and technical assistance to support sustainable implementation efforts within Community Supervision and Institutions. Training topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Evidence-Based Practices for Frontline Staff and Case Managers – Training on practices proven to be effective when working with justice-involved individuals.
  • Motivational Interviewing – Communication techniques designed to help justice-involved individuals identify motivation and move toward positive behavioral change.
  • Case Planning – A structured approach that focuses on achievable action steps to support personal goals, court-ordered requirements, and successful completion of services, programs, and community supports.
  • Carey Guides and Structured Worksheets – Strength-based worksheets designed to address criminogenic needs and significant barriers to success, including substance use disorders, mental health challenges, housing instability, transportation needs, and reentry planning.
  • Behavior Response Guidelines – Training that teaches staff how to promote and reinforce prosocial behaviors, redirect negative behaviors, and effectively incorporate behavior management strategies into case planning.
  • NC Predictive Analysis Supervision Effort (NCPASE) – Provides tailored supervision guidelines for high-risk and high-needs individuals to reduce early violations and prevent technical violations.
  • Confinement in Response to Violation (CRV) Behavior Management System – Provides behavior management guidelines used during CRV placements and Technical Violation Centers to reinforce positive behaviors, redirect negative behaviors, and support effective release planning for successful community reintegration.
  • Designated Reentry Facilities – Provides prison and community supervision reentry teams with a structured framework for working with justice-involved individuals one to two years prior to release. The model emphasizes core programming, collaborative case planning, prosocial support, and community engagement opportunities to strengthen support systems before reentry.
     

Through these initiatives, the EBP team strengthens organizational capacity, promotes effective correctional practices, and supports positive behavioral change for successful transition back in the community. 
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For more information, contact Reentry Services Director Lateisha Thrash at Lateisha.Thrash@dac.nc.gov.

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