The Circuit Court for Worcester County

“Alternative Directions” 

GOAL: 

v     To take a holistic approach to the treatment and rehabilitation of the juvenile offender and his/her family 

v     To increase the likelihood of success for the juvenile and reduce the potential for recidivism 

v     To reduce opportunities for inconsistent handling by the court and adjudication errors based upon inaccurate or incomplete information related to the juveniles mental health/substance abuse history 

v     To support a more fully informed decision making process in the courts by providing the Judges with comprehensive mental health assessments on youth who must appear before them 

v     To complete comprehensive/diagnostic mental health evaluations within 30 days of the DJJ intake 

RATIONAL: 

v     Frequently juveniles and/or their families are court ordered for mental health evaluations 

v     Historically, families have had difficulty securing this service in a timely manner 

v     Barriers such as cost, transportation, and difficulty understanding public/private mental health systems contributes to a high rate of non-compliance 

v     Frequently the juvenile and his/her family need services to help them resolve a set of interrelated problems 

v     If these interrelated issues are not adequately and effectively identified and addressed when they are first raised, there is an increased likelihood that the juvenile will return to court for related problems 

v     Often services to juveniles are fragmented and ultimately ineffective 

v     In many instances, courts are the service coordinators of last resort for dysfunctional families, matching the needs of the individuals, as they are presented at a court hearing, to the services available in the community, by issuance of a court order 

v     An earlier and integrated approach will promote effective assessment, intervention and treatment, with the goal of diverting the youth from the juvenile court system 

PROGRAM: 

v     The unit will provide comprehensive/diagnostic mental health evaluations by a team of mental health professionals 

v     The team will consist of an LCSW-C or LPC, Psychologist, and Psychiatrist 

v     Youth will be referred after initial screening by DJJ or by the sitting Judge on the case 

v     Incorporation of Substance Abuse assessments into comprehensive evaluation 

v     The unit will make treatment recommendations to the individual youth, his/her family, DJJ, and to the court 

v     The unit will be available to make court appearances, as necessary, to review evaluations and make recommendations 

v     The unit will not provide direct treatment or support services but would make recommendations for linkages to community-based agencies and providers 

WHO WILL BE SERVED: 

v     Residents of Worcester County 

v     Youth who are identified in the initial DJJ screening as exhibiting impaired functioning due to mental health problems (and/or substance abuse problems) 

v     Youth who are not currently active in mental health treatment 

Youth who do not choose to be evaluated by a private provider