NCJ Number
51837
Journal
CANADIAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION JOURNAL Volume: 20 Issue: 8 Dated: (DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 599-605
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY COURT CLINIC IN TORONTO, CANADA, IS TRACED, AND A CURRENT DERIVATIVE OF THIS CONCEPT, THE CLARK INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY, IS DESCRIBED AS TO ITS STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS.
Abstract
IT IS NOTED THAT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN PSYCHIATRY AND THE LAW HAS BEEN SPARSE IN THE AREA OF FAMILY LAW AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY COURT CLINIC BEGINNING IN TORONTO IN 1920 AT THE TIME OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FIRST FULL-TIME JUVENILE COURT JUDGE IS PRESENTED AS THE FIRST ATTEMPT IN CANADA TO USE PSYCHIATRIC EXPERTISE IN DEALING WITH PROBLEMS PRESENTED TO THE JUVENILE COURT. INSUFFICIENT FUNDING AND STAFFING, EXCESSIVE DEMANDS FOR SERVICE BY THE COURTS, AND LACK OF EXPERIENCED STAFF STYMIED A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION UNTIL THE CLARKE INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY ASSUMED THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FAMILY COURT CLINIC IN 1966. ATTACHMENT TO A UNIVERSITY CLINICAL SETTING, A FLEXIBLE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE, AND THE INCLUSION OF TREATMENT SERVICES ALONG WITH ASSESSMENT RESPONSIBILITIES ARE BELIEVED TO BE SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE FAMILY COURT CLINIC. WHILE UNABLE TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM TREATMENT FOR ITS LARGE CLIENTELE, THE CLINIC DOES PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING THAT OF A 'SERVICE BROKER' WHERE THE CLINIC IS NOT EQUIPPED TO MEET ALL THE NEEDS OF PARTICULAR CLIENTS. OTHER PROGRAMS OF THE CLINIC RELATED TO THE JUVENILE COURT ARE MENTIONED, INCLUDING TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR COURT PERSONNEL AND RESEARCH. THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE CLINIC IN ITS FIRST 5 YEARS OF OPERATION ARE DISCUSSED AND EFFORTS AT RESOLVING THESE ARE DESCRIBED. IT IS ADVISED THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR CLINICIANS INVOLVED IN SUCH ENTERPRISES TO SHARE PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR PARTICULAR CLINIC OPERATIONS. REFERENCES AND A SUMMARY IN FRENCH ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)