Presenters: Dr. Lina Racicot (AIC) & Kate Lowenstein (CFJJ)
Summary
The September 2018 JDAI Quarterly highlighted Massachusetts’ dually involved youth (DIY) population. JDAI staff presented state-wide and county specific data on the DIY population. Lina Racicot and Kate Lowenstein shared their own research and findings on this specific population. Lina presented the results of the Hampden County DIY evaluation, and Kate presented on the system gaps in child welfare and juvenile justice. The common themes of both presenters were the unique needs of youth who have both child welfare and juvenile justice system involvement and the actions systems can take to help prevent penetration into and cross-over between systems.
During the breakout sessions counties discussed a complex scenario of a dually involved youth. Through this scenario county representatives and partners identified the challenges they typically encounter with similar cases. Unanimously, all counties reported that the most common challenge they face is getting the necessary partners to the table. Counties also highlighted that they have observed a tendency to place youth in DYS facilities due to the lack of appropriate DCF placements.
In an effort to tackle aforementioned challenges counties have taken a proactive approach to ensure that, “the right youth is in the right place for the right reasons”. The Suffolk County team, known as the Communities Options Release Engagement (CORE), is working to decrease the average length of stay for youth with grid level 1 and 2 offenses, as well as more complex/mitigating cases. Worcester County has implemented the HUB, which is similar to the CORE model. Bristol County has the Top 25 committee that focuses on the top 25 youth who need assistance with placement. The sole purpose of these committees is to help bridge the gap between agencies, and to create a platform for interagency collaboration in case planning and solutions for dually involved youth.
Thank you to everyone who came in support of all the 2018 awardees! A big thank you to the Zara Cisco Brough (ZCB) facility and gracious staff for hosting this event, and to the girls at ZCB who made the beautiful centerpieces.
JDAI Massachusetts seeks to ensure that the Right Youth, is in the Right Place, for the Right Reasons.
For more information about JDAI please visit our website at www.mass.gov/jdai
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