NCJ Number
63252
Date Published
1979
Length
32 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REPORTED FROM AN EVALUATION OF THE GEORGIA JUVENILE JUSTICE AND CHILDCARE SYSTEM IN GENERAL AND INSTITUTIONS IN PARTICULAR.
Abstract
FOR STUDY PURPOSES, 'INSTITUTION' WAS DEFINED AS ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FACILITY HOUSING CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE CARE OR TREATMENT OUTSIDE THEIR OWN FAMILIES. THE JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS STUDY COMMITTEE STUDIED AND VISITED A BROAD RANGE OF FACILITY TYPES: SECURE AND NONSECURE, LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM, PUBLIC, AND PRIVATE. THE COMMITTEE MET 20 TIMES, VISITED 24 OF THE 48 LICENSED CHILD-CARE INSTITUTIONS AND GROUP HOME IN GEORGIA, 1 OF THE 2 PSYCHIATRIC CHILD-CARE FACILITIES, 1 OF THE 3 COUNTY-OPERATED DETENTION FACILTIES, 5 OF THE 13 STATE-OPERATED REGIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTERS. WHILE INDIVIDUAL FACILITIES WERE GENERALLY DEEMED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE CARE AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR THEIR RESIDENTS, OVERALL, THE NEEDS OF TROUBLED CHILDREN ARE NOT BEING MET DUE TO THE LACK OF A UNIFIED DELIVERY SYSTEM. THE PRIMARY PROBLEM IS THAT AVAILABLE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS ARE NOT VARIED AND FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH THE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY EACH CHILD. SECURE INSTITUTIONS TEND TO BE USED FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHOSE NEEDS ARE NOT MET BY EXISTING PROGRAMS. MOST OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS DERIVED FROM THE FINDINGS ARE DIRECTED TOWARD THE PUBLIC AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND DO NOT REQUIRE LEGISLATION. BILLS ARE RECOMMENDED, HOWEVER, TO ACCOMPLISH (1) THE CREATION OF A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF JUVENILE COURT JUDGES WHO WILL RECEIVE ADEQUATE TRAINING, (2) A STANDARD METHOD OF COMPUTING PER CAPITA COSTS FOR GROUP HOMES AND CHILDCARE INSTITUTIONS, AND (3) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE TO STUDY CRITICAL ISSUES. THE APPENDIXES PROVIDE A JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM CHART, A LIST OF THE FACILITIES VISITED, AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. (RCB)