Episode Four: Essential Elements of a Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice System (ft. Keith Cruise, PhD)

Episode Description

Essential Elements of a Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice System (ft. Keith Cruise, PhD)

Traumatic event exposure impacts the way that the brain processes information and disrupts the body’s regulation system. For youth, this can mean increased contact with the juvenile justice system. In this episode, Dr. Keith Cruise discusses different traumatic event exposures and how prevalent these occurrences are for youth in the justice system. You will hear the importance of implementing trauma screening, how trauma can change a youth’s thought and behavior pattern, and intervention strategies to better case plan for these youth.
Season One: Episode Four | Release Date: July 28, 2022

About the Guest

Keith Cruise, PhD

Professor and Director of Clinical Training, Department of Psychology | Fordham University | Bronx, New York
Director, Behavioral Health Screening Services | National Youth Screening and Assessment Partners (NYSAP)

Keith Cruise is Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at Fordham University. He holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas and a Master of Legal Studies degree from the University of Nebraska. Dr. Cruise conducts research on the clinical-forensic assessment of youth within the juvenile justice system. Various research projects have focused on developing and validating specialized risk assessment protocols, investigating the utility of mental health screening instruments with justice-involved youth, and understanding the connection between trauma exposure, trauma reactions, and delinquent behavior. Dr. Cruise’s clinical-forensic practice has involved providing assessment and treatment services with justice-involved adolescents conducting post-disposition assessments of risk and treatment amenability, providing expert testimony to juvenile courts.

Dr. Cruise also serves as the Director of Behavioral Health Screening Services through the National Youth Screening and Assessment Partners (NYSAP). Together with NYSAP colleagues, he provides technical assistance and consultation to local and state juvenile justice systems in implementing trauma-informed screening and assessment practices. Dr. Cruise has received grant funding (NIJ, OJJDP, SAMHSA) to examine the effectiveness of enhanced mental health screening for poly-victimization, trauma-informed case planning, and the impact of trauma screening on service delivery and legal outcomes for justice-involved youth.

Through partnerships with local, state, and national organizations, Dr. Cruise engages in training and technical assistance in behavioral health screening implementation with a focus on adopting, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based practices to increase access to appropriate services, enhance youth and family functioning, capitalize on strengths and support resilience, while also maintaining community safety.