NCJ Number
233790
Date Published
May 2010
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examines multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) as a collaborative approach to helping youth and their families get the services they need.
Abstract
Findings show that all of the Healthy Returns Initiative counties either established new MDTs or expanded their existing MDTs, with some counties establishing contracts and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with local agencies and community providers. An MDT is a group that meets regularly to share information and provide comprehensive assessment and consultation for youth in the juvenile justice system. MDT members generally are professionals from diverse disciplines representing the various agencies in contact with the youth and many times parents and youth participate in the MDT meetings as well. In general, the Healthy Returns Initiative MDTs brought together probation, mental health, public health, education, lawyers, parents, and sometimes youth on a regular basis to address youths' health and mental health issues and the needs of their families. These teams helped youth receive appropriate treatment and services, both in detention and in the community, by making referrals and appointments, by providing transportation, and by connecting youth to evidence-based programs. In order to provide these services, the teams developed numerous tools to identify youth and family needs and to establish short- and long-term goals. MDTs in the juvenile justice system can fulfill a variety of functions; some work together on youth case plans and are based either in probation or the court, while others may specifically address mental health treatment plans, coordinate reentry services, or delegate primary responsibility and coordinate services for "cross-over" youth that are in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Overall, their primary purpose is to help team members collectively develop recommendations for treatment and services, facilitate and coordinate access, and solve problems that may arise in the plan to effectively meet the multiple needs of the youth under their jurisdiction. List of resources