The Availability of Behavioral Health Services for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Advocates for juvenile justice youth claim that behavioral health treatment resources have not kept up with the numbers of youth in the juvenile justice system, particularly those needing extensive behavioral health care. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to examine the availability of behavioral health services for youth in the juvenile justice system. STUDY DESIGN: The study was performed using Yin’s qualitative case study research design. Multiple case studies were performed using interviews of 30 juvenile justice officials. RESULTS: Agreement exists within and among all levels of the juvenile justice system that inadequate behavioral health services exist for youth. CONCLUSION: The juvenile justice system cannot provide the comprehensive community system of care for youth with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. It is the responsibility of the state-sponsored behavioral health system to provide these needed services in the community as well as in psychiatric inpatient facilities.