NCJ Number
49524
Date Published
1976
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE GEORGETOWN ADOLESCENT INTERVENTION TEAM (GAIT) IN WASHINGTON, D.C., EVALUATES AND IDENTIFIES APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED JUVENILE OFFENDERS.
Abstract
THE TEAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE INDEPTH INTERDISCIPLINARY EVALUATIONS AND DIAGNOSES AND TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENTS FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS 10 TO 16 YEARS OF AGE. IT WAS INITIATED IN 1975 AND INVOLVES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISCIPLINES OF PSYCHOLOGY, NURSING, SOCIAL WORK, EDUCATION, ADOLESCENT MEDICINE, AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS, ACCEPTABILITY IS ASCERTAINED, AND EVALUATIONS ARE SCHEDULED. FOLLOWING EVALUATIONS, ALL CASES ARE GIVEN MULTIDISCIPLINARY STAFFING. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE BY TEAM MEMBERS AND THE RESULTS OF EVALUATIONS ARE DETERMINED. AT THE TIME OF THE REPORT'S WRITING THE PROGRAM HAD RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 75 REFERRALS; 45 CASES WERE ACCEPTED AND INTERDISCIPLINARY SCREENINGS WERE PERFORMED IN APPROXIMATELY 35 CASES. THE TEAM INTERFACES WITH THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN EVALUATING AND DIAGNOSING YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS WHO APPEAR TO HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY. MOST PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE INITIAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION PROCESS INCLUDE INADEQUATE, INAPPROPRIATE, OR UNDELIVERED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. THE VALUE OF THE TEAM APPROACH TO OTHER PROJECTS IS DISCUSSED. GAIT PLANS TO DEVELOP AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TO AID DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED OFFENDERS. THE THREE PHASES OF THE PLAN, PLANNING, TRAINING, AND REPLICATION, ARE DESCRIBED. (DP)