Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Clinical And Forensic Outcomes From The Illinois Mental Health Juvenile Justice Initiative, Michael Jenuwine, John S. Lyons, Gene Griffin, Sharon Quintenz, Michelle Shasha

Articles by Maurer Faculty

To address the mental health needs of youths who are arrested and detained in Illinois, an initiative was designed and implemented that identified youths with psychotic or affective disorders, linked them to community services, and monitored their cases. This study assessed whether such linkage is possible and whether it improves clinical and forensic outcomes. METHODS: Under the initiative, court staff refer youths who may have a mental illness to a clinical liaison. If the youth is eligible for the program, the liaison works with the family to develop a community-based action plan. For the analysis presented here, the Child and …