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In 2006, the Juvenile Standards and Guidelines were formally implemented across the state. As we celebrate 20 years of Juvenile Standards and Guidelines, this Quarterly Newsletter has a dedicated focus and a look back to some of the key legislative and policy milestones that have shaped our work with youth in Colorado. Because history is best understood through the context of the world we live in, we’ve cross-referenced these foundational shifts in the section below with the iconic global events and cultural trends that defined the era. It is a reminder that while technology and trends come and go, our commitment to evidence-based juvenile justice remains a constant and evolving force.
2000: A New Millennium and a Focus on Juvenile Justice
The year 2000 ushered in the new millennium with a whimper, not a bang, as the much-feared Y2K digital apocalypse failed to materialize on January 1st at 12:00 AM. While the world collectively breathed a sigh of relief, in Colorado, a significant legislative change was taking root. Recognizing the unique needs of young people involved in the justice system, the Colorado legislature amended the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) statute. This crucial revision specifically mandated the inclusion of new Board members whose expertise and representation were dedicated to juvenile systems. Concurrently, as the world watched Sydney, Australia, host the spectacular Summer Olympics, Colorado was quietly, yet firmly, initiating efforts to ensure that the needs of juveniles within the justice system who had committed sexual offenses began to receive the specialized attention and focus they required. This marked the true beginning of a concentrated effort to address this distinct population within the state's oversight and treatment framework.
2002: Technology Advances and the Genesis of Juvenile Standards
Just two years later, in 2002, the world witnessed another technological leap with the debut of the first commercially available camera phone, forever changing how we capture and share moments. In Colorado, a similarly groundbreaking event was occurring within the realm of juvenile justice: the publication of the first iteration of the Juvenile Standards and Guidelines. This foundational document represented a major step forward for the SOMB and the state. A look back at the 2002 Juvenile Standards reveals a more nascent framework, composed of 8 sections and supported by 12 appendices, totaling 168 pages. Fast forward to the present day in 2026, and the scope of these standards has grown dramatically. The current document now boasts 11 comprehensive sections, 14 appendices, and a substantial 286 pages. This significant expansion is not merely a matter of length; it is a powerful testament to the tremendous growth in research, the evolution of clinical best practices, and the depth of guidance that the SOMB is now able to provide to the Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) and providers who work tirelessly with the juvenile population in the state of Colorado.
2006: Full Implementation and a Console Craze
The year 2006 proved to be pivotal for the SOMB's juvenile initiatives. This was the year the Juvenile Standards were fully implemented, transforming from a published guide to a mandated framework for all providers. The SOMB formally began expecting that all professionals treating juveniles who had committed sexual offenses would demonstrate specific, verifiable experience in treating youth and, most importantly, employ treatment practices that were truly developmentally appropriate for their young clients. This shift solidified the commitment to specialized, effective care. In a lighter cultural moment the same year, Nintendo released the revolutionary Wii gaming console, introducing motion-controlled gaming to the masses. What a delightful coincidence that, two decades later in 2026, this iconic gaming system remains a beloved artifact. We are incredibly fortunate to still have the Wii as a centerpiece for celebration and community spirit—it will be the star of a lively Wii MarioKart Tournament at our 2026 Summit in the Rockies on Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Management conference, serving as a fun and engaging way to raise essential funds for a non-profit organization of the winning team’s choosing dedicated to supporting our work!
The Juvenile Standards Revisions (JSR) Committee is a dynamic and essential body responsible for the ongoing review and refinement of the Juvenile Standards and Guidelines. Unlike the Adult Standards Revisions (ASR) Committee, the JSR committee operates without a fixed roster of appointed members. This structure allows for a broad and inclusive collaborative environment, bringing together a diverse group of professionals who are directly involved in the juvenile justice and treatment spaces.
Leadership:
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Chair: Theresa Weiss, a highly valued Board Member and experienced Treatment Provider/Evaluator, provides leadership and direction to the committee.
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Co-chair: This pivotal position is currently vacant. The committee actively welcomes expressions of interest from qualified individuals who are passionate about contributing to the best practices.
Committee Participation:
The strength of the JSR committee lies in its varied and dedicated attendance. Its monthly meetings are regularly attended by a fantastic, multidisciplinary group of stakeholders, including:
- Sex Offense Specific Treatment Providers and Evaluators
- Supervising Officers
- Attorneys specializing in juvenile defense and prosecution
- Caseworkers
- School staff and administrators
This diverse attendance ensures that recommendations for updates to the Standards and Guidelines are grounded in a comprehensive understanding of current research, emerging best practices, and the real-world impact of policy.
Key Recent Revisions and Accomplishments:
The committee has been proactive in maintaining the relevance and efficacy of the Standards and Guidelines, recently completing several significant revisions:
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Appendix B: Contact, Clarification, and Reunification: This major revision originated from the JSR’s request to clearly delineate the differing considerations for cases involving familial interests versus non-familial interests related to contact, clarification and reunification.
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SOMB Reference Guide for School Personnel: Recognizing the critical need for up-to-date guidance for schools, the JSR formed a dedicated workgroup to overhaul the outdated 2015 edition of the Reference Guide. This comprehensive update has been approved by the Board and is scheduled for publication on May 8, 2026.
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New Standard on Child Contact: A new Standard was created to provide explicit guidance to MDTs. This standard addresses complex situations where juveniles or young adults under supervision express a desire to have contact with their minor siblings or their own minor children, ensuring that decisions are made with the utmost consideration for safety and therapeutic goals.
Upcoming Revisions:
The JSR committee is currently focused on developing guidance for several critical, evolving areas:
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Discharge Options Language Update: A comprehensive update of the terminology related to discharge from treatment.
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Internet Guidance: Developing contemporary guidance to address the complexities of internet use, access, and monitoring in the context of juvenile treatment and supervision.
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Gaming Guidance: Assisting in the creation of a guidance document to specifically address the unique risks, protective factors, and therapeutic considerations associated with online and in-person gaming environments.
The impact of specialized work with Colorado’s juvenile population is more evident than ever. Recent research and local data from Colorado reaffirm that specialized, offense-specific treatment is a highly effective tool for rehabilitation and community safety for juveniles during, perhaps, the most influential time in their adolescent development.
The Evidence for Success: A significant body of research demonstrates that adolescents with an adjudication for a sexual offense pose a much lower risk of sexual reoffending than adults. In an extensive meta-analysis by Lussier et al. (2024) on the sexual recidivism rate of juveniles (Count 25,765), the average rate was 8% over a follow-up period of 5.3 years. Of note, the meta-analysis drew primarily from studies conducted in the United States. A meta-analysis by Kettrey and Lipsey (2018) found that specialized treatment programs for juveniles who committed sex offenses were associated with a lower risk of both sexual and general recidivism compared to matched control groups. While these youth may exhibit higher rates of general (non-sexual) delinquency, specialized treatment remains the most effective path for reducing sexual reoffense (Beaudry-Cyr et al., 2017; Lussier et al., 2024). Additional provisions in the Juvenile Standards and Guidelines have been incorporated to holistically address many other problem areas that consider the social and ecological factors of the youth and their treatment needs in addition to the sexual components.
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A Colorado Success Story: Data from the Colorado Program Data Management System (PDMS) highlights the exceptional outcomes achieved in our state over the last 5 years:
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High Completion Rates: Adjudicated juveniles under 18 consistently achieve successful discharge rates exceeding 70%.
Zero Detected Recidivism: Matched longitudinal data (n = 45) linking PDMS records to criminal justice charge and conviction records shows a 0% sexual recidivism rate among program completers. Over an average follow-up period of 2.9 years, no juvenile clients who successfully completed treatment had new sexual offense charges or convictions after being discharged from treatment.
Shifting Our Approach: To better support this progress, Colorado has evolved toward a more constructive, strengths-based framework. We have updated our Standards to replace “Denial Level” with “Responsibility Level”. This change isn't just about language; it focuses our clinical work on a youth’s path toward accountability rather than their initial resistance.
The Power of the Team: The success of these interventions relies on a holistic, multidisciplinary (MDT) approach. Your commitment to delivering individualized, culturally responsive care is what makes these results possible. By addressing the whole person—including their developmental, cultural, and mental health needs—we are ensuring that "Once a sexual offender" is not "Always a sexual offender".
Letter from SOMB Program Coordinator
The SOMB is undergoing changes this Spring. SOMB Provider Kim Kline has stepped down from her roles as Chair and Board Member of the SOMB. She recently accepted a new position as Behavioral Health Operations Executive, which prevents her from continuing her duties as Chair of the Board. We congratulate Kim on her new position!
We also bid farewell to Board Member Taber Powers, who has completed his second term on the SOMB. Board members, staff, and attendees thanked Taber at the April meeting for his eight years of service. Taber is still located in Durango and stated he will remain involved in the Adult Standards Revisions committee. Both will be greatly missed! We extend our gratitude to Kim and Taber for their amazing work and service to the SOMB. We hope to announce a new Chair of the SOMB very soon! Stay tuned for the exciting details!
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Welcome Holly Harris-Yanker to the SOMB representing the Division of Child Welfare
Holly Harris-Yanker (she/her), MSW
Holly is the Human Trafficking and Sex Abuse Specialist with the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work and is a graduate of both Colorado State University and Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Her specialization in the Anti-Trafficking field and deep commitment to those impacted by child sexual abuse is informed by her direct care experience with children, youth, and families in various settings, including homeless shelters, residential treatment, and the child welfare system. As the Division of Child Welfare’s subject matter expert on child sexual abuse and human trafficking, she participates in expert case consultation and works to enhance Colorado’s Child Welfare response to families impacted by intrafamilial sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Holly also serves on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Children’s Alliance, a non-profit supporting Child Advocacy Centers across Colorado. She embraces collaboration and the value of community building and support in her work.
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Welcome Katie White to the SOMB representing Mental Health Professionals.
Katie is a Licensed Professional Counselor, SOMB Full Operating Juvenile Treatment Provider, and SOMB Clinical Supervisor with six years of experience in the residential treatment setting. After earning her master’s degree in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt University in 2020, she moved to Colorado and began her professional journey as a clinician at Shiloh House. In her current role as the Clinical Manager at the Littleton campus of Shiloh House, Katie provides clinical oversight for QRTP and day treatment programs that serve males ages 8-16 experiencing a range of mental health and behavioral concerns, including sex offense specific needs. In addition to supervising a team of clinicians, she remains actively engaged in therapeutic practice with youth and families. Her work is enriched by her beloved therapy dog, Remi, whose presence brings comfort and laughter to clients and staff each day.
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 This April, the Board once again dedicated time to formally acknowledge and participate in Sex Assault Awareness Month. This annual observance is a crucial component of our commitment to understanding the profound impact of sexual violence and fostering an environment of support and healing.
A significant highlight of our observance was the presence of Kimberly Nunez-North, a remarkable survivor who generously shared her deeply personal story. Her courage in speaking about her abuse provided a powerful, firsthand account of her journey, underscoring the resilience of survivors. The Board was also treated to a teaser video of the documentary Kimberly is currently creating, which chronicles her experiences.
In a symbolic gesture of solidarity and hope, Board members were encouraged to participate in an activity: coloring pictures of daffodils. The daffodil is a flower traditionally used to symbolize hope, making it a fitting tribute to honor the strength and enduring spirit of all survivors of sexual assault. This activity served as a quiet, reflective moment for members to personally acknowledge the significance of the month and their commitment to the survivor community.
Additionally, Board members were encouraged to participate in Colorado Denim Day 2026. Colorado Denim Day 2026 is Wednesday, April 29th, 2026. You can donate to support CCASA’s Denim Day project here. Please see below for a statement on the origins of Denim Day from CCASA.
“In 1999, a case in Italy came to worldwide attention when a young woman accused her 45-year-old driving instructor of brutally raping her during a driving lesson. He was sentenced to 34-months in prison before the case made its way to the Italian high court, where the sentence was overturned. The Chief Judge released a statement arguing that because the victim wore tight jeans, he assumed that she must have helped her perpetrator remove her jeans and, therefore, consented.
Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched into immediate action and protested by wearing jeans on the steps of the Italian Parliament building. This was the beginning of what has become a worldwide event and movement to wear jeans as a visible means of protest against misconceptions that surround sexual assault.”
The SOMB encourages all to seek out Sexual Assault Awareness Month events in your communities and further learn how you can remain victim centered and support survivors of sexual violence.
2026 Summit in the Rockies on Domestic Violence
and Sex Offender Management
We are happy to announce that our Annual Conference will be held July 14-17, 2026 in Breckenridge, CO.
The theme of the 2026 conference is
"Navigating Collaboration and Creativity: Enhancing Public Safety through Transformative Best Practices"
Registration is OPEN
Early Bird Pricing will end May 31st
Registration will close June 30th at 11:59 PM
Training presented by SPARC
Stalking is a prevalent, dangerous, and often misunderstood crime. This seminar explores the dynamics of stalking, focusing on the highly contextual nature of the crime by discussing common tactics used by perpetrators, the co-occurrence of stalking with intimate partner and sexual violence, the use of technology to stalk, and the use of risk assessments in stalking cases, as well as tools to plan for victim safety and hold offenders accountable.
WHEN: May 14, 2026
TIME: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
FORMAT: In Person ONLY
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Lakewood Police Department
445 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80226
AUDIENCE: DV and SO Approved Providers, Probation Officers, and TVAs
This training has limited seats available.
SOMB Training Center
Trainings Sponsored by Others
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