Behavioral Health/Juvenile Justice (BH/JJ) Part I Presented by: Dr. Mark Singer Leonard W. Mayo Professor of Family and Child Welfare Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences Case Western Reserve University

Program Overview  Target population – mentally ill violent offending youth between the ages of 12 and 18  Target sites:  Cuyahoga County  Lorain County  Southwest Counties (Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont)  For the period July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2002, 68 youth were enrolled in the project  90% Male; 51% Caucasian, 39% African-American, 9% Hispanic, 1% Biracial; Average age=16 years

Charges (N=62)  Total charges = 673  Average number of charges = 10.6 (range=0- 29)  Greatest number of youth had assault, domestic violence, and/or theft charges

N=65 DSM-IV Diagnoses – Axis I

N=68 Medications

N=51 Mean=85 Youth IQ

Ohio Scale Outcomes  Youth, parent, and worker ratings of youth’s Problem Severity and Functioning improved over time  Parents’ ratings of satisfaction with their relationship with their children improved over time  Youths’ and parents’ ratings of satisfaction with treatment improved over time

ODYS Direct Impact MH referrals* to ODYS from project counties: 2000 MH referrals MH referrals MH referrals**- 15 * Males only ** Through 10/15/02

Full Psychological Evals. N=88 Youth were highly impulsive: 74% had made a suicidal threat/gesture/act 25% made violent acts on pets/animals (e.g. killing, mutilating burning) 40% had been noted as firesetters

Full Psychological Evals. N=88 Compromised intellectual functioning: 42/88 had I.Q. scores at borderline level or below About 1 in 4 had provisional diagnosis of learning disability

Full Psychological Evals. N=88 Parents had significant problems: 55% of fathers noted as abusing alcohol/drugs 43% of mothers noted as abusing alc./drugs About 1 in 3 fathers and 1 in 5 mothers were noted as having been incarcerated or on probation.

Focus Groups: Systems Issues Mental Health BoardsJudgesParents/Families  Positive youth outcomes  Safety not an issue or concern  Important to engage families  Fills gap for low functioning youth with co- occurring disorders  Another option for youth.  There is a large mental health need  Need to be educated about available networks and services  Level of security is appropriate.  Therapy was good.  Were treated respectfully.  Parent was available and asked for input.  Youth placed in program was considered a “success” Juvenile Court StaffProviders  Security is adequate  Helped to build trust with family and identified youth  A different option than DYS that addresses a gap in services  Families had positive experiences  Need to work with schools to reintegrated youth in education  Collaboration between systems is vital to success  Need more community-based services

Discussion