When Helping Crossover Youth Helps the Juvenile Justice System: Reports from Agency Professionals

• In Event: Enhancing Juvenile Justice in the Midwest

Abstract

Crossover youth are a concern to both child welfare and juvenile justice agencies and are among the most at-risk youth for negative outcomes. The Crossover Youth Practice Model was implemented in a Midwestern state in 2012 and was designed to divert these youth from further penetration into the juvenile justice system and/or provide enhanced services to them. This paper reports on the successes of the initiative, from the views of the professionals working in both systems, including better decision-making, enhanced communication, trust and collaboration, and benefits to the juvenile justice system.

Authors

• Joselyne Chenane, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Emily Wright, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Ryan Spohn, University of Nebraska at Omaha