WASHINGTON - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES REPORT - ALTERNATIVES TO THE COMMITMENT OF DEPENDENT-INCORRIGIBLE YOUTH

• NCJ Number: 54185
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 147 pages
• Corporate Author: Washington Dept of Social and Health Services
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE WASHINGTON STATE LAW, CHAPTER 21, LAWS OF 1975-1976, 2ND EXTRAORDINARY SESSION CALLS FOR AUGMENTED SERVICES TO STATUS OFFENDER DEPENDENT-INCORRIGIBLES WHO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. NEEDED SERVICES AND FINANCES ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

WHEN ISSUING A JUVENILE COURT ORDER FOR THE CARE, CUSTODY OR COMMITMENT OF A DEPENDENT-INCORRIGIBLE CHILD, THE JUVENILE COURT MAY COMMIT THAT CHILD TO A STATE DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT FACILITY FOR NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS. COMMITMENT IS DEFENDENT ON THREE CONDITIONS: (1) EVIDENCE IN THE CHILD OF DEGENERATING CONDUCT, (2) FAILURE OF OTHER, LESS RESTRICTIVE ALTERNATIVES IN CONTROLLING THE CHILD; AND (3) AVAILABILITY OF CUSTODIAL TREATMENT REASONABLY EXPECTED TO CORRECT DEGENERATION. THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CONDUCTED AN INVENTORY OF ITS EXISTING SERVICES INCLUDING INSTITUTIONS FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND JUVENILES, YOUTH CAMPS, ALTERNATIVE LIVING CARE SERVICES SUCH AS FOSTER AND GROUP CARE HOMES, COMMUNITY SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS, AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION INSTITUTIONS TO ASSESS THE STATUS OF SERVICES PERTINENT TO THE NEEDS OF DEPENDENT-INCORRIGIBLES. THE INVENTORY DATA REFLECT A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICES PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF SPECIALIZED FOSTER FAMILY CARE AND FOSTER GROUP CARE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT $211,447 BE PROVIDED FOR FOSTER FAMILY AND GROUP CARE PROGRAMS SO THAT ADDITIONAL SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM CARE CAN BE SUPPLIED AND THE QUALITY OF CARE CAN BE IMPROVED. THE DEPARTMENT WILL NEED $1,822,887 FOR SPECIALIZED CARE OF DISTURBED ADOLESCENTS, $67,000 FOR AUGMENTED COMMUNITY DIVERSION PROJECTS, $1,058,983 FOR CRISIS-INTERVENTION CASEWORK SERVICES, AND $360,000 FOR 24-HOUR CRISIS-INTERVENTION SERVICES. COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL, AND EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES FOR THESE YOUTHS WILL COST $500,000, AND PLANNING AND RESEARCH TO EVALUATE THESE SERVICES WILL COST $250,000. APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE LAW PERTAINING TO JUVENILES AND INCORRIGIBLES, DESCRIPTIONS OF EXISTING YOUTH SERVICES, AND A GLOSSARY OF TERMS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)