Relationships Between Youths' Identified Substance Use, Mental Health or Other Problems at a Juvenile Assessment Center and Their Referrals to Needed Services

• NCJ Number: 171034
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (1997) Pages: 21-55
• Author(s): R Dembo; J Schmeidler; K Pacheco; S Cooper; L W Williams
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 35 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1-R01-DA08707-03
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

This article reports on a study of the processing of youths at the Hillsborough County (Tampa), Florida, Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC).

Abstract

The study examined the preliminary screening, assessor staff service recommendations and service use outcomes of 143 adolescents. It also examined the relationships between the youths' potential problems identified during the preliminary screening process and assessor recommendations for follow-up services. The article describes the outcomes of youths referred for further services, and draws policy and service delivery implications of study findings. JAC assessor recommendations are consistent with the youths' reported problems, but the article discusses more training which is needed to improve the strength of these associations. It also discusses the very serious need to develop more effective ways to involve youths in necessary follow-up services. Findings highlight the need of assessor staff for initial and ongoing training and experience in identifying potential psycho-social functioning and substance use problems among processed youth and making appropriate service recommendations. Figure, tables, references