NCJ Number
244820
Date Published
June 2013
Length
22 pages
Annotation
The Ohio Interagency Task Force on Mental Health and Juvenile Justice reports on its goals and objectives for improving collaboration among the State's juvenile justice agencies, social service agencies, and mental health agencies in addressing the mental health needs of youth with problem behaviors; progress to date, findings, and recommendations are also reported.
Abstract
Under Ohio House Bill 86, the Task Force has been charged with reviewing the current staff training, protocols, and procedures for treating mentally ill youth committed to the Department of Youth Services (DYS); reviewing the current funding, roles, and responsibilities of State agencies that serve youth; reviewing the literature on best practices in treating youth with mental illness; examining mental health treatment models for youth in the juvenile justice system; and conducting at least one visit to a DYS mental health unit, followed by development of a profile of youth in the unit. The recommendations presented are intended to achieve seven goals. First, youth needing mental health services will be diverted from deeper involvement in the juvenile justice system through early screening and assessment. Second, there will be increased family participation and engagement at all levels. Third, more timely and effective behavioral health services will be provided for youth in custody. Fourth, collaboration will increase among various youth-serving agencies in the State. Fifth, proven and cost-effective community-based interventions and strategies will be expanded. Sixth, there will be greater inter-departmental accountability for youth being served by multiple agencies. Seventh, there will be stronger local systems of care that meet the needs of youth with serious, multiple, and complex needs. Appended supplementary information