JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND OUTREACH SERVICES (FROM WHO CAN HELP? - PROCEEDINGS OF A CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN HELPING JUVENILE OFFENDERS, 1974 - SEE NCJ-55758)

• NCJ Number: 55766
• Author(s): A J TUCKMAN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 10 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: Arthur D Little, Inc; Plog Research Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE WORK OF THE ROCKLAND COUNTY N.Y. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER IS DESCRIBED AS IT SEEKS TO ALTER THE COMMUNITY SYSTEM WHOSE PATTERNS HAVE TENDED TO SPAWN JUVENILE MALADJUSTMENT.

Abstract

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, RATHER THAN BEING ROOTED IN THE PERVERSENESS OF THE JUVENILE HIMSELF, IS PRECIPITATED BY THE YOUTH'S REACTION TO INSENSITIVITY AND DISORDER WITHIN THE FAMILY, SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND OTHER COMMUNITY ENTITIES WITH WHICH HE MAY INTERACT. UNDER THIS REALIZATION, THE ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y., COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER HAS ADOPTED PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO INFLUENCE THE CHARACTER OF THE COMMUNITY SYSTEM THROUGH COMMUNITY CONSULTATION, LIAISON, AND OUTREACH TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT MOST INFLUENCE THE NATURE OF THE COMMUNITY. ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS INVOLVES THE SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION TEAM, WHICH CONSISTS OF CENTER STAFF ASSIGNED TO EACH OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR CONSULTATION EXCLUSIVELY WITH SCHOOL STAFF. THE WORK CENTERS ON DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ALL OF THE FACTORS WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND ITS MANAGEMENT. CONSULTATION TO THE FAMILY COURT AND PROBATION ARE PART OF THE WORK OF THE FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH TEAM. A PSYCHIATRIST AND SOCIAL WORKER ARE ASSIGNED TO THE FAMILY COURT AND PROBATION IN ORDER TO EVALUATE FAMILIES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO JUDGES AND PROBATION OFFICERS. OTHER PROGRAMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) A PROGRAM WHERE TRAINED ADULT VOLUNTEERS MEET REGULARLY WITH DELINQUENTS FOR CONSULTATION; (2) CONSULTATION WITH THE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU TO HELP IT DEVELOP PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH; (3) CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO HELP STAFF DEAL WITH ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN FAMILIES SERVED; (4) HUMAN RELATIONS TRAINING FOR POLICE; (5) COLLABORATION WITH VOLUNTEER FAMILY COUNSELING SERVICE, A PROJECT PROVIDING COUNSELING SERVICES TO CLIENTS OF THE FAMILY COURT; AND (6) MULTIAGENCY CONSULTATION PROGRAMS WHERE REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITY AGENCIES MEET TO COORDINATE SERVICES. EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS IS BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. (RCB)