OJJDP Journal of Juvenile Justice, Volume 5, Issue 1, Spring 2016

• NCJ Number: 249840
• Journal: Journal of Juvenile Justice Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2015 Pages: 1-116
• Date Published: April 2016
• Length: 116 pages
• Publication Series: OJJDP Journal of Juvenile Justice
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Youth-Oriented Material; Training (Aid/Material); Instructional Material

Annotation

The first part of this issue explores the impact of trauma on children and adolescents and the importance of a trauma-informed juvenile justice system, followed by articles on various juvenile delinquency factors.

Abstract

An article discusses the collaborative efforts of those working in juvenile justice, child welfare, schools, and mental health to assist at-risk youth who are experiencing trauma-related behavioral and psychological problems. It emphasizes the importance of cross-system, specialized trauma training that has produced positive outcomes for traumatized youth. Although the results of these collaborations are promising, a key challenge is the lack of consensus regarding the features of a trauma-informed justice system. A feature article outlines a research and policy agenda that consists of four core domains of a trauma-informed juvenile justice system. These are screening, assessment, and intervention; workforce development; vulnerable populations; and system reform. With these essential elements of a trauma-informed system, researchers and practitioners can further identify common language and goals. Another feature article focuses on the psychosocial aspect of juvenile delinquency and the development and implementation of psychosocial interventions for traumatized youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system. This issue also includes studies on the relationship between acute and chronic effects of alcohol and drug use and offense type among juvenile offenders; gender and the risk for recidivism among those appearing in truancy court; and a pilot study of an instrument that assesses a probation officer's knowledge of youth with intellectual disabilities.