NCJ Number
207533
Date Published
November 2003
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the proceedings and recommendations of a 1-day policy forum -- held in Washington, DC, on November 15, 2002 -- to set the stage for the development of improved policies for youth with mental health disorders who have become involved with the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
The forum's agenda was designed to review the progress to date and to identify and discuss the next steps toward an improved integration of mental health and juvenile justice policy at the national, State, and local levels. Reasons for a heightened sense of concern and awareness regarding the needs of juvenile offenders with mental illness were discussed, notably the increasing number of juveniles with mental health disorders entering the juvenile justice system. One of the advances made in addressing this concern was the establishment of the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice in July 2001. The Center's policy development activities are intended to develop a knowledge base and experiences from the field that will influence changes in national, State, and local policies that affect youth with mental health disorders who are involved in the juvenile justice system. Identified advances and emerging responses included improved screening and assessment instruments, demonstrated effective interventions, the development of promising collaborative models, increased interagency and community involvement in the issue, a stronger research base, and continued investigations into the issue by the U.S. Justice Department. Areas of concern identified included improving collaboration, keeping mentally ill juveniles out of the justice system, funding, and the quality and availability of service. The forum composed seven recommendations that pertain to diversion programs, funding for juvenile mental health services, a media campaign, the identification of effective approaches, and the holding of a series of meetings between juvenile justice and mental health practitioners to clarify responsibilities and other critical issues. 9 references