Transforming Adolescent Sex Offender Treatment: Organization-Wide Change Process in a State Residential Juvenile Justice System

Authors

  • Nancy Calleja University of Detroit Mercy; Spectrum Human Services, Inc. & Affiliated Companies Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6671-2997
  • Heather Bowlds California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52935/24.3112.6

Keywords:

Juvenile Justice, Adolescent Sex Offenders, Residential Treatment, Organizational Change, Evidence-Based Practice

Abstract

A state juvenile justice system underwent a system-wide organizational change process as a result of implementing a new empirically-based residential treatment model for adolescent sex offenders. Because of the significant differences between the new treatment model and the former, the change process required modifications in treatment philosophy and ideology, clinical practice, staff responsibilities and teamwork, and an understanding of applied research and the role of residential juvenile justice providers.  A detailed description of the transformative change process is provided and is further examined through the lens of organizational change theory.

Author Biographies

  • Nancy Calleja, University of Detroit Mercy; Spectrum Human Services, Inc. & Affiliated Companies

    Dr. Calleja was the Project Director and consultant who developed and implemented the new treatment program related to the organizational change process discussed in this manuscript.  She specializes in the clinical treatment of court-involved adolescents, and consults nationally with governmental and non-profit organizations on program development, program evaluation, and business planning.  Dr. Calleja is the Clinical Director of Spectrum Human Services, Inc. & Affiliated Companies and Professor and Chair of the Department of Counseling and Addiction Studies at University of Detroit Mercy.

  • Heather Bowlds, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

    Dr. Bowlds was the Senior Psychologist and Coordinator of the Sexual Behavior Treatment Program, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation who also served as the lead internal project director throughout the new treatment program development and implementation. Dr. Bowlds specializes in the clinical treatment of court-involved adolescents and juvenile justice administration. Dr. Bowlds currently serves as the Deputy Director, Division of Adult Parole Operations, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

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Published

01/14/2026

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 1 (2024): JAJJS 2024 Issue

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Articles

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How to Cite

Transforming Adolescent Sex Offender Treatment: Organization-Wide Change Process in a State Residential Juvenile Justice System. (2026). Journal of Applied Juvenile Justice Services, 38(1), 57-71. https://doi.org/10.52935/24.3112.6

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