PublicationsThese publications—developed with leaders from NAC member Assessment Centers—offer research-grounded guidance, real-world examples, and practical tools to advance prevention, diversion, and early intervention. How to use these resources Use the publications below as discussion starters for community partners, policy makers, and Center teams. They highlight partnership opportunities, implementation approaches, and best practices aligned to the NAC Framework.
FeaturedReport
Expanding Diversion Through Assessment Centers
Timely guidance on youth crime trends, behavioral health complexity, and how Centers provide early intervention, access to services, and youth-centered collaboration that prevents deeper system involvement.
Guide
How Community Stakeholders Can Leverage Benefits of Assessment Centers
Explores how cross-system collaboration improves equity, reduces service fatigue, optimizes resources, and strengthens prevention/diversion for youth and families.
Report
The Journey of Establishing an Assessment Center
Lessons from four Centers on conditions for launch, stakeholder roles, funding, and what they’d do differently in early stages—practical insights for new sites.
Spotlights (Case Studies)Real-world snapshots of Assessment Centers in action. Case Study • Jefferson County, CO
Jefferson County JAC | A Self-Assessment Journey
How JEFFCO used NAC’s self-assessment tool to evaluate operations, align to the Framework, and plan improvements.
Spotlight • Calcasieu Parish, LA
Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC)
Consolidating community supports under one roof—reducing access time from weeks/months to hours.
Spotlight • Memphis, TN
Shelby County Youth & Family Resource Center
Partnering with youth and families to build supports and streamline access to community resources.
Spotlight • Savannah, GA
The Front Porch
Community-based diversion hub preventing youth from entering court for delinquency, dependency, and CHINS.
Spotlight • Clark County, NV
The Harbor Juvenile Assessment Center
Early intervention across multiple sites to divert youth from formal justice system involvement.
Briefs & ArticlesBrief
The Connector Role: Address Capacity, Facilitate Access, Reduce Service Fatigue
How Centers serve as neutral connectors to optimize resources and improve well-being across communities.
Brief
Nonprofit Assessment Centers
Profiles of nonprofit Centers in LA, CO, and CA and how they implement diversion best practices.
Brief
The Rippling Effects of a Pandemic on Assessment Centers & Communities
Two years on: capacity challenges, youth/family needs, and implications for Center operations.
Brief
Partnership Possibilities: Assessment Centers & Schools
How Centers bridge PBIS/MTSS and community services to address underlying needs and reduce absenteeism.
Brief
The Benefit of Neutrality
Why trusted, unbiased convening is central to the Assessment Center model and community trust.
Brief
Why Detention Is Not the Answer: An Alternative Through Assessment Centers
A practical argument and approach to reducing reliance on detention through early, coordinated support.
|