NCJ Number
46806
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MONTANA YOUTH JUSTICE COUNCIL TASK FORCE ON PREDISPOSITIONAL CARE ARE PRESENTED REGARDING JUVENILE LAW ENFORCEMENT; DETENTION AND SHELTER CARE; AND DIAGNOSTIC, PROBATION, AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
Abstract
IN THE AREA OF JUVENILE LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ALL AGENCIES SHOULD ESTABLISH A JUVENILE DIVISION OR A SPECIFIC STAFF AND THAT WRITTEN POLICIES BE DEVELOPED IN THE AREAS OF DISCOVERY, INVESTIGATION, TREATMENT AND REFERRAL, AND PROTECTION. RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD TAKE STEPS TO REDUCE RESPONSE TIME IN THE DELIVERY OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR YOUTH. JUVENILE JUSTICE AGENCIES SHOULD MEET REGULARLY TO CONSIDER PROBLEMS OF INTERAGENCY CONCERN. PARENTS SHOULD BE LEGALLY FORCED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S ILLEGAL ACTS. PROGRAMMATIC CHANGES IN THE TRAINING OF YOUTH OFFICERS, LINE OFFICERS, AND MANAGEMENT PRSONNEL ARE RECOMMENDED IN ORDER TO INCREASE INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, REFERRAL, INTERVENTION, PLANNING, AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS. TRAINING IN JUVENILE LAW AND JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCEDURES IS ALSO ADVISED. RECOMMENDED POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES IN DETENTION AND SHELTER CARE INCLUDE: (1) THAT THE MAXIMUM STAY IN DETENTION HOMES BE LIMITED TO 30 DAYS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSIONS; (2) THAT SHELTER CARE BE PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF A SERVICE SYSTEM; (3) THAT PROGRAM EVALUATION GOALS BE BASED UPON THE SPECIFIED GOALS OF THE SHELTER CARE BILL; AND (4) THAT REFERRALS TO SHELTER CARE FACILITIES BE LIMITED TO SPECIFIED AGENCIES OR SERVICE SOURCES. A JAIL MONITORING EFFORT IN EACH OF THE JUDICIAL DISTRICTS IS SUGGESTED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF JUVENILE VERSUS ADULT SEPARATION AND COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. IT IS FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT DIAGNOSTIC AND EVALUATION SERVICES BE PERFORMED IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE SETTING POSSIBLE AND THAT SUFFICIENT FUNDING BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR COMPETENT EVALUATION. CAPABILITIES FOR LOCAL EVALUATION SHOULD ALSO BE EXPANDED, AND IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, THE YOUTH SHOULD BE EVALUATED IN THE FAMILY SETTING. A COMPLETE EVALUATION WOULD (BUT NEED NOT) INCLUDE AN ASSESSMENT OF VISUAL AND HEARING CAPABILITIES, DENTAL CONDITION, INTELLECTUAL AND EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING, BEHAVIOR, SOCIAL FUNCTIONING, AND SCHOOL AND VOCATIONAL FUNCTIONING. A PARENTAL EVALUATION, AN ANALYSIS OF PARENT/CHILD INTERACTIONS AND SOCIAL HISTORY, AND TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED. PROBATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE CASELOADS SHOULD COMPLY WITH NATIONAL STANDARDS. ADEQUATE FUNDING SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO COURTS FOR FOSTER PLACEMENT, AND ADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF SUCH PLACEMENTS SHOULD BE ENSURED. NEWLY FUNDED SERVICES SHOULD AVOID DUPLICATION OF ALREADY EXISTING SERVICES. PROBATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES PERSONNEL TRAINING SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE CONCERNING INTAKE AND INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES, THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, PLACEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, INTERAGENCY MANAGEMENT, TREATMENT, AND CASELOAD MANAGEMENT. (JAP)