NCJ Number
187329
Journal
Juvenile Correctional Mental Health Report Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: January-February 2001 Pages: 17-18-26-30
Date Published
January 2001
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A statewide needs assessment took place in Virginia in 1998 to determine the systemic, legal, and service delivery barriers to meeting the mental health and rehabilitation needs of juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Data came from semistructured interviews with 32 juvenile justice and mental health professionals from around the State and from a review of relevant State documents. Results revealed a lack of a guiding philosophy for serving juvenile offenders and that the juvenile justice system is a dumping ground for juveniles with mental health problems. In addition, many juvenile offenders have learning disabilities that have been undiagnosed or untreated in the school system. Moreover, the lack of early intervention on the community level leads to escalation of delinquent behaviors. Results also revealed the need for greater parental involvement in and accountability for the child's treatment and rehabilitation, the need for treatment services in detention centers and for community-based treatment, and the needs for improved interagency cooperation and comprehensive service system. Other findings related to the need for more local services for special populations, inadequate funding to localities to serve juvenile offenders, and legal confidentiality issues as a barrier to record sharing and integrated data systems. The analysis concluded that the barriers exist not only in the juvenile justice system, but also in other agencies. Findings indicated the need for a range of treatment, case management, and advocacy services; interagency coordination; and an integrated, multisystemic approach. 6 references