Module 4: Coordinating and Integrating Systems

5C. Addressing Resource Problems

Mental health, substance abuse, and juvenile justice systems should work together to expand options, both treatment and juvenile justice, when necessary (Griffin, Hills, & Peters, 1996). For example, when no intensive outpatient treatment program for youth with co-occurring disorders is available, the local juvenile justice system might create a day reporting center for supervision of the youth, while the treatment systems assign counselors to provide onsite treatment. Or if additional security is required, a home confinement option (with or without electronic monitoring) could be offered in conjunction with the day reporting center for the time the youth is not in the center. The day reporting center can also be used in the evenings for youth involved in the juvenile justice system who require less intensive treatment or who are regularly attending school during the day.

At different points in time, funding may be available for one system and not the other. Having collaborative agreements and mechanisms in place in advance makes it possible for the systems to work together to take advantage of new funds that become available for youth in the juvenile justice system who have co-occurring disorders.