NCJ Number
55767
Date Published
1974
Length
10 pages
Annotation
WORK WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS IS DESCRIBED FOR THE DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM OF THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLA..
Abstract
WHILE THE ESCAMBIA CENTER DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM SERVES ALL AGES, THIS REPORT GIVES PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THOSE ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM MOST OFTEN USED WITH JUVENILES. THE PROGRAM OFFERS A 24-HOUR, 7-DAY-A-WEEK TELEPHONE COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICE WHICH PROVIDES CRISIS INTERVENTION, REFERRAL TO APPROPRIATE AGENCIES, AND GENERAL COMMUNITY INFORMATION. CLIENTS COMING INTO THE PROGRAM FOR THE FIRST TIME ARE GIVEN AN INTAKE EVALUATION BY TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND IF THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT THE CLIENT HAS NEED OF ANY OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE, A BROAD TREATMENT PLAN IS DEVELOPED, WITH CLIENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE DECISIONS. TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE DETOXIFICATION, OUTPATIENT SERVICES, LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL CARE (ALONG THE LINES OF A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY), A HALFWAY HOUSE, AND A BEHAVIORALLY ORIENTED DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM. EACH OF THESE TREATMENTS IS BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. JUVENILE OFFENDERS MAY USE ANY OF THE SERVICES MENTIONED, DEPENDING ON INTAKE DECISIONS. DUE TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN FLORIDA, THERE ARE FOUR PRIMARY REFERRAL SOURCES FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS CONTACTING THE PROGRAM: THE DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES PRIOR TO ANY ADJUDICATION, A JUDGE AFTER ADJUDICATION AS AN ASPECT OF SENTENCING, AN AFTERCARE COUNSELOR, AND THE CLIENT HIMSELF OR HIS PARENTS. THE DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM HAS ONE STAFF MEMBER WHOSE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO BE A LIAISON WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ALL ITS LOCAL COMPONENTS. TWO OUTREACH WORKERS UNDER THIS STAFF MEMBER CONDUCT JAIL INTERVIEWS, WORK WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE FOR PRETRIAL DIVERSION, GO TO COURT WITH CLIENTS ALREADY IN THE PROGRAM, AND COMMUNICATE WITH THOSE ALREADY SERVING TIME IN LOCAL COUNTY WORK CAMPS ABOUT THE SERVICES OFFERED BY THE PROGRAM. (RCB)