Continuity of Mental Health Care to Youth in the Juvenile Justice Network

A sizable number of youth at risk for psychiatric disabilities enter the juvenile justice system each year without sufficient screening mechanisms or treatment systems. In 1977 the children and youth division of a mental health center began a program of evaluation, treatment, and consultation for juveniles in the subsystems of probation, secure and nonsecure detention centers, urban group homes, and other postadjudication residential facilities. One of the major benefits—a central and coordinated response to youth identified as having significant emotional problems—stems from the opportunities opened up through the continuing care offered to this population. The agencies involved have been more accepting of the patient-centered method of service involvement than of program or staff development consultation.