NCJ Number
117809
Date Published
1985
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The development of services for mentally disordered juvenile offenders (MDJO) should address five key areas: identification of MDJO's, delegating agency responsibilities, developing a continuum of care, reintegrating the youth into the community, and the systematic testing of various program models.
Abstract
Services to MDJO's can be enhanced by improving the mechanism by which such youths are identified and classified. As part of the regular intake and diagnostic procedures at intake immediately following police apprehension, a standardized mental health assessment should determine whether the youth has special mental health problems that should be considered in the case disposition. This assessment should accompany the youth through case processing. Although strong arguments can be made as to why responsibility for MDJO's should be taken by either corrections or mental health, each State should clearly define the responsibilities of each agency. Mental health services should be available across the full range of placement types. A continuum of services must be developed to respond to the diverse needs of MDJO's. Also, attention and resources must be directed toward the time when the youth will be returning to family, friends, and the community. 20 references.