Diverting Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth With Behavioral Health Issues From Detention

Abstract

Nationally, well over half of juvenile justice-involved youth report behavioral health impairment. Although the juvenile justice system may be the first place a youth is screened for behavioral health problems, the system is often ill-prepared to properly treat these youth. In response to the growing number of youth entering the juvenile justice system with behavioral health issues and the lack of proper care in these facilities, many communities have developed diversion programs as an alternative to detention. The current study investigated Ohio's Behavioral Health Juvenile Justice (BHJJ) program, a diversion program for juvenile justice-involved youth with behavioral health issues that provides evidence-and community-based behavioral health treatment. Results indicated BHJJ was effective at improving behavioral health outcomes, including general functioning and trauma symptomatology, and reducing future delinquency. Analyses also examined the variables that predicted successful treatment completion and future adjudications. Implications for juvenile justice programming and policy are discussed.

Juvenile Court and Contemporary Diversion

“…Reduced recidivism is the primary goal. However, in accordance with other diversion efforts, participation in civil citation programs is anticipated to improve other youth outcomes, such as education, drug use or abuse, and mental health (Howell et al, 2014;Kretschmar et al, 2016; Models for Change Juvenile Diversion Workshop, 2011). These diverse benefits stem from the emphasis in diversion programs not only on sanctions (e.g., community service hours, monitoring, and restitution) that hold youth accountable but also on providing, or facilitating access to, treatment or services that address a youth's diverse risks and needs (Mears, 2012;Ray and Childs, 2015).…”

“…and treatment-have proliferated (Ezell, 1989;Kretschmar, Butcher, Flannery, and Singer, 2016;Mears, 2012;Pearson and Jurich, 2005;Ray and Childs, 2015;Sullivan, Dollard, Sellers, and John Mayo, 2010;Willison, Mears, Shollenberger, Owens, and Butts, 2010).…”

Neighborhood Disorganization, Social Support, Substance Use and Functioning amongst Adolescents; an Analysis of the Ohio Behavioral Health Juvenile Justice Initiative

“…Ohio trends are similar to national rates with between 50-70% of youth who appear in court having a serious mental health and/or substance use problems (Kretschmar et al, 2014;Skowyra & Powell, 2006). Recognizing the need to have resources and expertise in the area of early identification, assessment and treatment, the state allocated funding towards the development of the Behavioral Health Juvenile Justice (BHJJ) initiative (Kretschmar et al, 2014;Cocozza & Skowyra, 2000). The BHJJ is a diversion program for youth between the ages of 10-18 involved in the juvenile justice system in Ohio who also suffer from mental or behavioral health issues (Kretschmar, Butcher & Flannery, 2013).…”

“…Services. The intent of the initiative was to improve behavioral health screening and assessment of youth in the juvenile justice system (Kretschmar et al, 2014). The program is geared towards offenders 10-18 years old with mental health issues and substantial behavioral, cognitive and emotional problems.…”

“…The program is geared towards offenders 10-18 years old with mental health issues and substantial behavioral, cognitive and emotional problems. The program diverts these youth with mental health or substance use issues from detention into intensive community and evidence-based treatment (Kretschmar et al, 2014).…”