NCJ Number
199091
Date Published
November 2002
Length
143 pages
Annotation
This report describes the status of two legislatively established pilot programs that were implemented in urban and rural areas of Colorado to facilitate the effective management of youth with mental illness who have become involved in the criminal justice system.
Abstract
Both programs became fully operational during the first year of implementation, with trained staff and adequate infrastructure to enroll youth and provide services; however, the Denver site experienced significant startup delays. As a result, services were not fully implemented until September 2001, 9 months after the funding became available. Currently, Denver's assembled team is a fully licensed multisystemic therapy team (MST) that has demonstrated fidelity to the prescribed requirements. Recommendations for the Denver program are to continue the effective implementation of MST; evaluate the role and value of the Family Resource Coordinator; review the original intention and barriers to hiring a Spanish-speaking therapist; continue to develop strategies for increasing the flow of non-Medicaid referrals and match funding and services; and continue training to improve mental health diagnostic skills of program staff. The Sterling pilot program had no startup problems. The program had a high level of community collaboration and support; small staff-to-client ratios; and integrated treatment, specifically with alcohol and drug services. The Sterling program, however, did have some areas that require strengthening. Most noteworthy is the minimal amount of family involvement in the overall treatment program. The small proportion of family therapy services that were provided substantiated this finding. Another program component that was problematic was the location of the delivery of services, almost all of which has occurred on the site of the Community Mental Health Center. Among the recommendations for the Sterling program are to fully implement a family-based intervention rooted in outreach that includes home-based services; build on the pilot program's considerable strengths; consider adding a routine follow-up capacity; develop strategies to increase the number of referrals of young youth less involved in the criminal/juvenile justice system; and continue training to improve mental health diagnostic skills of program staff. 50 figures, 25 tables, 96 references, and supplementary information