Welcome to the Independent Variable Consulting News & Media hub — your go-to source for the latest insights, updates, and stories about our work and outcomes. Here, you’ll find blog posts, news articles, podcast features, and videos that spotlight how we’re using data and technology to help municipalities, government agencies, and nonprofits increase their social impact. Stay connected as we share key success stories and lessons learned from our mission to build better systems through human-centered design and data-driven innovation.
Philly’s juvenile-justice system leaves girls out of programs that could help them, new report says
“The report, released last week, followed a cohort of more than 400 girls arrested and charged in 2019, tracking their journeys into and out of the city’s juvenile justice system through the end of 2021…”
Report: Racial inequities ‘pervade’ Philly’s juvenile justice system
“Our analysis shows substantial unspent juvenile justice budget appropriations over the past half-decade, even while per-youth spending on juvenile justice has far exceeded that seen in other youth-serving systems,” Serlin continued. “This suggests that a fundamental reimagining of our spending strategies may be in order.”
More school counselors would improve juvenile justice system for girls
In addition, the report said that every school should have two counselors on staff, regardless of its size, “with at least one of these counselors identifying as a woman to ensure that girls have a safe space if they do not feel comfortable confiding in male-identifying counselors.”
The student-counselor ratio was decimated due to budget cuts a decade ago and has not been fully restored.
Philly’s juvenile-justice system leaves girls out of programs that could help them, new report says
“The report, released last week, followed a cohort of more than 400 girls arrested and charged in 2019, tracking their journeys into and out of the city’s juvenile justice system through the end of 2021…”
Report: Racial inequities ‘pervade’ Philly’s juvenile justice system
“Our analysis shows substantial unspent juvenile justice budget appropriations over the past half-decade, even while per-youth spending on juvenile justice has far exceeded that seen in other youth-serving systems,” Serlin continued. “This suggests that a fundamental reimagining of our spending strategies may be in order.”
More school counselors would improve juvenile justice system for girls
In addition, the report said that every school should have two counselors on staff, regardless of its size, “with at least one of these counselors identifying as a woman to ensure that girls have a safe space if they do not feel comfortable confiding in male-identifying counselors.”
The student-counselor ratio was decimated due to budget cuts a decade ago and has not been fully restored.
Philadelphia juvenile justice system spends funds inefficiently, with ‘suboptimal results,’ report says
“A report unveiled by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office on Monday describes a juvenile justice system where funds are being inefficiently spent and producing what experts call “suboptimal results.”…”
Youth Justice Leaders Call for Cross-System Collaboration to Keep Girls Out of Philly Justice System
“Report co-author Adam Serlin, the founder and principal of Independent Variable, said: “The data in this report highlights issues that practitioners have been discussing for years…”
Philadelphia DA’s Office releases report on girls in juvenile justice system
“The report also raises questions about institutional racial and economic disparities in the city after “alarmingly” finding that 95% of girls arrested in the city in 2019 were Black and/or Hispanic…”
Report finds disproportionate resources for girls in Philadelphia’s juvenile court system
“According to a new report released by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, young girls who are arrested and charged in the juvenile court system are given fewer resources and services than those of the opposite sex — a system that is structurally more male-focused….”
Report: Philadelphia’s juvenile justice system has many repeat offenders
“Five years ago the system was less sophisticated. Tracking the kids coming in and out of the criminal justice system and analyzing what’s happening and not happening inside the Juvenile Justice Department “should not be a secret,” Serlin said.”
