Broadcast Objectives

To register for the videoconference, please click here.

  Historically, the mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system have not received the attention they deserve

as demonstrated by the scarcity of research on the nature and prevalence of mental health disorders among these youth and the lack of information about  effective practices. However, recent federal initiatives are beginning to reveal the scope of the problem and the inadequacy of mental health care in juvenile correctional facilities. States are also beginning to recognize the importance of  mental health issues due to the increasing reliance on the juvenile justice system to care for youth with mental illness, a long-recognized trend in the adult correctional system. Recent changes in state laws have also resulted in more juveniles being prosecuted as adults, underscoring  issues such as the right to mental health treatment.

  Based on available data, it is safe to estimate that at least one out of every five youth in the juvenile justice system has serious mental health problems. Many of these youth also have co-occurring substance abuse disorders, further exacerbating the problem. The ability of the juvenile justice system to deal with these problems is hindered by confusion about which agencies should provide care and services, inadequate screening and assessment, lack of training, inadequate funding and programs and the overall lack of research.

  In spite of these problems, there is a set of emerging strategies and useful models that effectively address the problem. This national satellite videoconference will highlight the scope of the problem, barriers to providing adequate services, and ways in which the juvenile justice and mental health systems can collaborate to increase the level and quality of services. Promising programs and effective strategies for linking the juvenile justice, mental health and substance abuse service systems will be discussed as well as efforts to divert youth from the juvenile justice system to effective community-based services. In addition, means to incorporate culturally appropriate and sensitive strategies in mental health programming for these youth will be highlighted.

 Broadcast Objectives

• Present information about the prevalence of mental health problems among youth in the juvenile justice system 
  

• Discuss emerging strategies and useful models for providing effective mental health service 
  

• Share policy implications of and recommendations for providing specialized mental health services

Audience

This broadcast is designed to be viewed by:

¨Juvenile justice professionals, including judges, juvenile probation and aftercare staff, juvenile correctional adminstrators, supervisors, case managers and youth service providers

¨ Professionals in private and public mental health agencies at the federal, state and local level

¨ Policymakers at the local, state and federal levels

To register for the videoconference, please click here.

Video Rights
You are encouraged to videotape the broadcast for use as a future resource.  No rights are reserved by OJJDP or its contractors, the Juvenile Justice Telecommunications Assistance Project (JJTAP).  This broadcast will be closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.

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