Chapin Hall

Chapin Hall will serve as the independent evaluator of the Juvenile Pre-Trial Detention Alternative Pilot Program (JDAPP), an innovative initiative launched by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) that offers a structured alternative to pretrial detention for eligible youth charged with certain serious offenses. Rather than being detained while their cases proceed, participants remain in their communities, are required to reengage in school, and receive intensive wraparound supports under close court supervision. The program is grounded in research showing that juveniles uprooted from community-based supports due to detention are more likely to reoffend.  

JDAPP was developed to address a gap in Cook County’s pretrial system by creating a meaningful, community-based pathway for youth who might otherwise be detained at their first court appearance. The pilot initially focuses on boys ages 13–17 from North Lawndale and Little Village and operates within a single juvenile courtroom overseen by Judge Beatriz Frausto-Sandoval. Participation in the program is considered when cases are adjudicated. Juveniles who have been charged with murder, attempted murder, criminal sexual assault, aggravated battery with a firearm, as well as those who have already been placed on electronic monitoring in an active case, are ineligible for JDAPP. 

In addition to school engagement, participants receive approximately 20 hours per week of after-school programming delivered by two community-based organizations deeply rooted in the participating neighborhoods: New Life Centers in Little Village and The Firehouse Community Arts Center in North Lawndale. Services include cognitive behavioral therapy, tutoring, mentoring, family engagement, and support to address trauma and other stressors prevalent among court-involved youth. Regular status hearings will be held approximately every month to review participant progress and compliance. 

Chapin Hall’s role is to conduct an independent, rigorous evaluation of JDAPP to assess its implementation and impact. The evaluation will examine program participation and service utilization, school enrollment and attendance, compliance with court conditions, and recidivism outcomes. To understand how JDAPP participants fare relative to similarly situated youth, outcomes will be compared to a historical cohort of eligible youth charged between September 2023 and August 2025.  

This evaluation builds on Chapin Hall’s longstanding partnerships within Cook County’s juvenile justice system, including prior assessments of deferred prosecution programs. By grounding innovation in rigorous research and independent evaluation, Chapin Hall aims to generate evidence that can inform future policy decisions about alternatives to detention and contribute to more effective, equitable approaches to juvenile justice. 

Other partners include the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), community-based organizations, and other justice system stakeholders. For more information view the CCSAO press release or contact Chapin Hall Policy Fellow Antwan Turpeau.