New Report on Improving Access to Health Coverage for Transitional Youth
The National Academy for State Health Policy recently published a report entitled “Improving Access to Health Coverage for Transitional Youth.” The report, co-authored by Sonya Schwartz and Melanie Glascock, highlights the various ways in which Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) eligibility can be expanded to transitional youth in both the juvenile justice and foster care systems. The report provides a detailed discussion of the challenges associated with using Medicaid within the context of juvenile justice and discusses Medicaid process improvements that can be used to address these challenges. To view the full report, visit
Meta-Analysis Study Focuses on Prevalence of Mental Disorders Among Justice-Involved Youth
A meta-analysis conducted by Seena Fazel, Helen Doll, and Niklas Långström on the prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents in juvenile detention and correctional facilities found that adolescents in detention and correctional facilities are approximately ten times more likely to suffer from psychosis than adolescents in the general population, and that girls were more likely than boys to be diagnosed with major depression. The article was published in the September 2008 issue of Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. To view the abstract visit
http://www.jaacap.com/pt/re/jaacap/abstract.00004583-200809000-00007.htm;jsessionid=LtQNvZxPcWR3Hv8
Task Force to Develop Strategic Blueprint for New York State
New York State Governor David A. Patterson recently announced the creation of a Task Force on Transforming Juvenile Justice. The Task Force is charged with examining ways in which New York State’s juvenile justice system can be improved and developing a blueprint for transforming the system. This Task Force will focus on a number of key issues, including the treatment of youth with mental health needs in the juvenile justice system, alternatives to placement, community re-entry, conditions of confinement, and disproportionate minority contact. To view the Governor’s press release, visit
http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/news/2008/2008_09_10_juvenileJusticetaskForce.html
National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health 20th Annual Conference
The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health will be holding their 20th Annual Conference for Children’s Mental Health on November 21-23, 2008 in Atlanta, GA. This year’s conference is entitled Hope on the Horizon for Children, Youth and Families: Revisioning mental health using a public health approach to promotion and prevention. For more information on the conference and to register to attend visit
News Article Highlights King County’s Expansion of Mental Health Services
A recent article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer highlighted the recent approval by the King County Council of a $50 million-a-year spending plan that will expand services for individuals with mental illness and substance abuse problems. The plan’s funding is the result of a 2005 decision by Washington state lawmakers that allowed counties to levy a tax to create programs that would keep people with mental illness out of correctional facilities and hospital emergency rooms. The funds will be directed toward jail diversion programs, expanding mental health courts, and increasing staff and services for community-based treatment services. To view the article, visit
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/382017_mentalplan07.html
National Conference on Juvenile Justice
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) in conjunction with the National District Attorneys Association, is sponsoring the National Conference on Juvenile Justice. The conference will take place March 11-14, 2009, in Orlando, FL and will address numerous issues for professionals working in juvenile and family courts. For more information or to register, visit