NCJ Number
206512
Date Published
2004
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This annual report of the Division of Social Services of Missouri is an overview of agency operations, statistics regarding youth served, and outcome indicators.
Abstract
The mission of the Missouri Division of Youth Services (DYS) is to enable youth to fulfill their needs in a responsible manner within the context and with respect for the needs of the family and community. This annual report provides a summary of descriptive statistics about the youth committed to the care of the division as well as pertinent information regarding overall operations during fiscal year 2003. The total number of children committed to DYS by the court per year includes all new commitments plus recommitments. During FY 2003, a total of 1,193 youth were committed to DYS. A total of 999 males accounted for 84 percent of the overall commitments to DYS during FY 2003. The largest percentage of youth, 85 percent, committed to DYS during FY 2003 were between the ages of 14 and 16 years. The number of youth committed to DYS during FY 2003 for both males and females increased incrementally from age 10 until peaking at age 16, with a sharp decline in commitments of youth over 16 years of age. Youth are further examined through the following categories: commitments by race and gender, commitments by grade level, commitments by family constellation, metropolitan versus rural commitments, commitments by region, commitments by offense type and gender, and commitment trends for offense type. DYS continually modifies and refines its case management system in order to enhance assessment, treatment planning, and the coordination and mentoring of services for each youth and family. Treatment services include: case management system, residential facilities, day treatment, community care services, jobs programs, health care services, interstate compact on juveniles and juvenile court diversion. In FY 2003, expenditures for DYS totaled $57 million. DYS remains committed to providing comprehensive, individualized, and needs-based services to the youth committed to its care. Figures, tables, appendices