Challenges for Linking Delinquent Youth under Community Supervision to Behavioral Health Services: The Need for Systems and Organizational-Level Interventions

• In Event: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for Youth

Abstract

Large proportions of young offenders under community supervision in the juvenile justice system have substance abuse and mental health problems that often are undetected and therefore not treated. Failure to adequately assess and treat these conditions has negative effects on both public safety and public health, and increases the likelihood of failure in probation or diversion. This presentation uses data from multiple jurisdictions to describes gaps in services and barriers to linking juvenile justice and behavioral health systems. We present an implementation science framework and implementation intervention that are being tested in a multisite national study to identify and reduce these gaps in services.

Authors

• Steven Belenko, Temple University

• Angela Robertson, Mississippi State University

• Danica Knight, Texas Christian University

• Tisha Wiley, National Institute on Drug Abuse

• Larkin McReynolds, New York State Psychiatric institute, Columbia University

• Richard Dembo, University of South Florida

• Leah Hamilton, Temple University