NCJ Number
50652
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS, TYPES OF REPORTS, PROBLEMS OF STAFF INVOLVEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE, AND BENEFITS OF AN AUTOMATED DATA SYSTEM FOR THE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE OF A JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE TORONTO, CANADA CLINIC FOR WHICH THE AUTOMATED DATA SYSTEM WAS DEVELOPED PROVIDES PREDISPOSITION ASSESSMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REHABILITATIVE APPROACHES TO PROVINCIAL COURT JUDGES CONCERNING JUVENILES UNDER THE AGE OF 16. AN ABSENCE OF INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES NEEDED FOR DETERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT PROCESSES LED TO THE DECISION TO DEVELOP AN AUTOMATED DATA SYSTEM EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THE FOLLOWING REPORTS: (1) ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS, MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE JUVENILES REFERRED TO THE CLINIC; (2) CLIENT CHARACTERISTICS REPORTS, ONGOING PROFILE REPORTS OF THE CLIENT POPULATION, INDEXED BY CLIENT CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS AGE, AREA OF RESIDENCE, CHARGES, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, FAMILY STRUCTURE, AND DEVELOPMENTAL AND SCHOOL HISTORY; (3) SCHOOL HISTORY REPORTS, OVERVIEWS OF THE LEARNING PROBLEMS OF THE CLIENT POPULATION; (4) PROGRAM EVALUATION REPORTS, THREE-MONTH EVALUATIONS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CLINIC PROCEDURES; AND (5) SPECIAL RESEARCH REPORTS, FILE DATA FOR RESEARCH INVESTIGATIONS BASED ON PARTICULAR STAFF INTERESTS. IT IS INDICATED THAT THE RESOLUTION OF PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM STAFF ANXIETIES, APATHY, AND ANTAGONISM RELATIVE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DATA SYSTEM WAS CRUCIAL TO THE SYSTEM'S FINAL SUCCESS. PROBLEMS OF STAFF INVOLVEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE ARE IDENTIFIED AND SUGGESTIONS FOR DEALING WITH THEM ARE OFFERED. THE SPECIFIC BENEFITS OF THE AUTOMATED DATA SYSTEM FOR PROGRAM ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OUTLINED. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE NEXT PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE A FOLLOWUP SYSTEM TO MEASURE HOW CLIENTS ARE FUNCTIONING AT VARIOUS INTERVALS AFTER THE CLINIC ASSESSMENT. (RCB)