	Juvenile Justice Corrections Services

Introduction

Administration and Management

Service Delivery Administration Standards

Service Standards

PA-JJC 7: Mental Health Services

Youth with mental health conditions receive the appropriate level and intensity of treatment needed to address problems and promote rehabilitation.

Research Note: Research indicates that youth in the juvenile justice system are more likely than other youth to have mental health problems, and some literature suggests that these issues may have contributed to youths’ initial delinquency. Accordingly, experts point to the importance of treating these needs and issues in order to help youth rehabilitate and decrease their risk of recidivism.

PA-JJC 7.01

Youth receive a mental health assessment within seven to fourteen days of admission, and youth with mental health conditions receive diagnoses based on standardized diagnostic tools.

Interpretation: As referenced in PA-JJC 1.03, some agencies may conduct systematic service need screenings to determine when youth are in need of more in-depth assessments. When this is the case these service need screenings should occur within seven to fourteen days, and further evaluation should be conducted if necessary.

NA The agency provides only detention services.

PA-JJC 7.02

Interventions are appropriate to youths’ needs, and based on evidence or clinical practice guidelines, where they exist.

Research Note: Research indicates that most evidence-based treatments have been designed for specific disorders. Accordingly, it is critical to conduct assessments that yield an accurate diagnosis.

NA The agency provides only detention services.

PA-JJC 7.03

Treatment services are provided by qualified mental health professionals.

Interpretation: If other personnel provide some aspects of service, they must be trained and supervised by qualified mental health practitioners.

NA The agency provides only detention services.

PA-JJC 7.04

When youth receive medications for emotional or behavioral conditions, medication use is:

consistent with the youth’s assessed needs and service plan;
authorized and managed by a board-eligible psychiatrist or another qualified health practitioner; and
monitored for efficacy and side effects.

Interpretation: It is permissible under the standard to use a consulting psychiatrist or a community mental health center for psychiatric consultation, provided that the agency has a formal agreement.

PA-JJC 7.05

In case of emergency, youth have access to mental health services 24 hours a day.

Interpretation: It is permissible to use a local mental health facility for emergency services, provided the agency has a written agreement with the facility.

PA-JJC 7.06

When youth have experienced trauma, the agency provides specialized services and trauma-informed care.

Research Note: Research suggests that many youth in the juvenile justice system have experienced trauma, especially girls.

NA The agency provides only detention services.

PA-JJC 7.07

To promote the safety of youth at risk of suicide, personnel:

recognize when youth are thinking about suicide;
monitor suicidal youth at a frequency consistent with level of risk;
respond promptly and appropriately to youth who attempt suicide; and
continuously supervise youth who attempt suicide until they are assessed by qualified medical and mental health personnel.

PA-JJC 7.08

Youth diagnosed as having co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions receive integrated treatment either directly or through active involvement with a cooperating service provider.

Note: Collaboration with cooperating service providers is also addressed in PA-JJC 5.02 and 5.03.

Research Note: Research indicates that the prevalence of co-occurring conditions is high among youth in the juvenile justice system, and suggests that treatment modalities addressing one problem at a time are not likely to be effective. Accordingly, literature points to the importance of providing integrated treatment that addresses needs in a cohesive manner.

NA The agency provides only detention services.

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	PURPOSE: Juvenile Justice Corrections Services promote public safety by helping youth overcome problems and develop the attitudes and skills needed to make responsible choices, avoid negative behaviors, and become productive, connected, and law-abiding citizens.

RELATED FILES


	SERVICE One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.


	CONNECTED The means by which individuals access services that may or may not be provided by the organization itself. These terms are used interchangeably when individuals are connected to services either directly or by referral. See also LINKED.


	RESEARCH For purposes of COA accreditation, all forms of internal or external research involving persons served except internal program evaluation and outcomes research, or educational projects performed by students and interns that are part of their professional training.


	ASSESSMENT An evaluation, which utilizes professional expertise and skills in the collection and analysis of data to understand and describe the nature of service needs of an individual, family, or group. Assessment, as in needs assessment, is also used to determine priorities of program planning and service development for the organization as a whole. See also DIAGNOSIS.


	CASE A general term used to designate clients (including individuals, families, and groups) served by an organization for purposes of monitoring the provision of services. A foster care case is generally based on the placement of an individual child, although casework for the child may include services to the child's family. A child protective services case is based on an entire family household if a family assessment model is used; otherwise a case is defined as a child.


	EVALUATION The review and assessment of organizational operations, programs and services.


	CLINICAL The study, assessment, and diagnosis of the client situation followed by direct treatment to help the client achieve prescribed goals.


	PRACTICE Established actions or ways of proceeding in the regular performance of organizational duties. Policies and procedures often guide practice.


	DIAGNOSIS The process by which a social, physical, or mental health problem and its underlying cause are identified and a plan of action formulated toward resolution of the problem. The diagnostic process involves collection and analysis of relevant information. See also ASSESSMENT.


	MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL A professional with specialized training and skills in the nature and treatment of mental illness and who uses this information to provide clinical, preventive, and social services. Mental health professionals include: psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric registered nurses, and social workers.


	MEDICATION A prescribed or over-the-counter drug that is injected, taken orally, applied topically, or otherwise administered.


	SERVICE PLAN A written plan of action based on the assessment of consumer needs and strengths that identifies problems, sets goals, and describes a strategy for achieving those goals and engaging in joint problem solving with the consumer. Also known as a "treatment plan".


	COMMUNITY A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.


	PERSONNEL The body of employees and/or volunteers that carries out the organization's tasks under the organization's administration and/or supervision. This definition does not include foster parents who are specifically referenced in relevant standards