NCJ Number
229168
Date Published
September 2006
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This policy statement outlines the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Mental Health/Juvenile Justice (MH/JJ) Work Group's key components in the development of a comprehensive model system that provides for cross-systems collaboration in addressing youth with mental health needs and co-occurring substance abuse issues.
Abstract
The Mental Health/Juvenile Justice (MH/JJ) Work Group of the Pennsylvania MacArthur Foundation Models for Change Initiative is comprised of representatives from the juvenile justice, mental health, child welfare, drug and alcohol, and education systems as well as families. The goal of the MH/JJ Work Group is to engender these systems to change and ensure that safeguards are in place to avoid the misdiagnosis and/or over diagnosis of youth in the juvenile justice system, and entails a commitment to cross-systems collaboration. The MH/JJ Work Group seeks to support every Pennsylvania County in developing a comprehensive model system that includes the fundamentals of screening and assessment, continuum of services (diversion, short-term interventions and crisis management, evidence-based treatment, and continuity of care/aftercare), family involvement, funding, and legal protections.