of Youth with Mental Health Needs in Contact with the Juvenile Justice System
Program DescriptionMobile Mental Health Teams, New York StateOverviewThe New York State Mobile Mental Health Teams program is the result of a uniquely collaborative effort, executed through an annual Memorandum of Understanding, between the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Funding for the Mental Health Teams is primarily supported by OMH and administered jointly. Historically, OMH would deploy staff into juvenile justice facilities using a consultative model to provide assessments of mental health needs. Those with severe diagnoses would be transferred to psychiatric hospitals and provided with direct services. In time, OCFS began placing psychologists, social workers, and nursing staff within the facilities. In the 1980s a new approach was developed. OMH and OCFS established a post-adjudication juvenile reception center in the Bronx called Pyramid, staffed by psychologists and social workers. Here all incoming juvenile offenders are assessed for mental health disorders, among other things. In the mid 1990s, a pilot program was begun aimed at youth who were found to have severe mental health disorders, or who could not successfully be housed with other youth. These juveniles were placed into a small mental health unit of 12 people, as opposed to the regular units of 25. In 1999, funds were allocated for the creation of seven mental health units around the state. A team of clinicians from nearby behavioral health hospitals is assigned to each unit as a “mobile mental health team” to go to the juvenile correctional facility and provide mental health treatment services on a daily basis. The mobile mental health teams also provide case consultation and training to juvenile correctional facility staff. A recent trauma initiative provided training for clinical staff, who are now in the process of training the correctional staff in how to properly respond to both males and females with disorders resulting from traumatization. While there is no individual follow-up upon release, discharge planning begins immediately upon arrival at the facility. Residents are considered to be ready for discharge when the treatment team staff have determined that the treatment objectives have been achieved. The length of stay is typically 6–12 months. Linkages to mental health services are created within the community so after re-entry a treatment plan is in place. An outcome study has been performed on Highland Residential Center, the site for the pilot program, by Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center. References Personal communication with Lois Shapiro, New York State Office of Mental Health. Mental Health Unit Program Description. Albany, NY: New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Program ContactLois Shapiro |