Module 4: Coordinating and Integrating Systems

Summary

Everyone benefits when the juvenile justice, mental health, and substance abuse treatment systems are communicating with each other to coordinate services for youth with co-occurring disorders. Continuity of care through the establishment of community-based linkages, pre-release plans, and juvenile justice supervision ensures that the gains youth make while in a secure or residential setting are maintained. Coordinated case management, ideally provided by a single, full-time case manager working collaboratively with a transition team, increases the likelihood of a successful transition to the community and positive treatment outcome.

Sharing confidential treatment and criminal records and information among the systems is critical yet must be handled according to Federal and State rules and regulations. Written consent is required to release confidential treatment information. Release of juvenile justice information, particularly court orders, to treatment providers is important when designing treatment plans. Regular interagency communication and written interagency agreements regarding how information is to be shared and the roles of each system will enhance collaboration and integration of services.

Coordination and integration of services start with a self-assessment by each agency of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT Analysis). Results of this analysis can uncover implications for working collaboratively with each other and lead to developing action plans that will move agencies and individuals forward in their commitment to address the needs of youth with co-occurring disorders who are involved with the juvenile justice system.