This presentation explores how the Texas Juvenile Justice Department integrated Dialectical Behavior Therapy into daily operations, building on a foundation of trauma-informed care and trust-based relational interventions. Key strategies discussed include integrated treatment plans, DBT skills groups, an egregious behavior protocol, and the token economy system piloted at one facility. The presentation also addresses implementation challenges, preliminary outcomes, and future goals for expansion.

Educational Objectives

• Explain the implementation strategies used to imbed DBT into basic programming at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department
• Describe impacts and challenges of DBT milieu-based approaches on youth in custody
• Discuss preliminary data related to the implementation of a token economy system to reinforce positive youth behaviors

Level: Intermediate