NCJ Number
203468
Date Published
October 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed how existing juvenile treatment needs are determined and met in the First Judicial District of New Mexico, which includes Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, and Sante Fe Counties.
Abstract
Data for the report were compiled through interviews with juvenile judges and representatives from the district attorney's office, the public defender's office, the Juvenile Probation/Parole office, local detention facilities, and treatment service providers. The report outlines judicial philosophy in these counties, observations about referrals, mental health treatment options, sex offender treatment options, crisis placement, educational services, enhanced supervision, detention, and challenges to meeting juvenile treatment needs. Analysis of the data suggests that, first, these three counties are dissimilar from one another and the report does not capture the full effect of the diversity because most interviews were conducted in Santa Fe County. Respondents seemed satisfied with the range of services available to juveniles, with the exception of educational services and the crisis shelter, which is scheduled to be expanded and improved. There may be an increasing need for bilingual services and cultural training for treatment providers, although this need is not yet conclusive. Several challenges in meeting treatment needs were expressed, and include the need for gender-specific services, day reporting, educational expulsion alternatives, additional sex offender services and residential treatment alternatives, and access to acute adolescent psychiatric services. These challenges to meeting juvenile treatment needs closely mirror issues raised in other counties throughout New Mexico.