Module 4: Coordinating and Integrating Systems

1A. Establishment of Community-Based Linkages

Linkages with families, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, social service agencies, and educational and vocational programs well before a youth leaves a facility are essential for a positive outcome. Health and psychiatric medication management in the community is often critical to achieve positive transitions and needs to be secured. Community resources such as churches and advocacy groups can play a significant role in a successful transition. Institutional treatment for youth needs to be geared toward strategies that will enhance successful community transitions (TIP 30, 1998).

Community agencies are often unfamiliar with and uncomfortable functioning in collaboration with the juvenile justice system. Thus, it is necessary for juvenile justice programs to engage in assertive outreach to community agencies and develop incentives for them to become familiar with the policies and procedures under which the justice system operates.

The Denver Juvenile Justice Integrated Treatment Network is a model of how a community can forge effective linkages with the multiple systems that affect youth with co-occurring disorders (TIP 30, 1998).