Focal Point Summer 2017

Summer 2017 Focal Point cover

"Justice and Recovery" (2017), v.31

Research demonstrates that the prevalence of mental health conditions among justice system involved youth is alarmingly high, coupled with a strong likelihood of multiple traumatic exposures. Unfortunately, while the need for appropriate and timely treatment is acute, the juvenile justice system seems challenged in meeting it. The authors of this issue of Focal Point identify and propose solutions to these challenges with new research findings.

Access Articles in this Issue

  • Introduction: Justice and Recovery

    John Ossowski

    This introduction from Focal Point editor John Ossowski discusses how this issue addresses the current state of juvenile justice and where research indicates the future is headed.

  • Juvenile Justice 101: A Parent's Perspective

    [anonymous parent]

    The author recounts her son’s experience within a juvenile justice system that exacerbated his mental health conditions.

  • Racial Disparities in Juvenile Justice Referrals to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

    Elizabeth Spinney, Martha Yeide, William Feyerherm, Marcia Cohen, Rachel Stephenson, & Courtnie Thomas

    This article examines the confluence of mental health needs and racial disparities within the juvenile justice system.

  • Answering the Cry for Help

    Hernan Carvente

    A young adult provides a critique of the juvenile system in which he was incarcerated, noting its emphasis on treating mental health conditions with medication rather than therapy.

  • A Roadmap for Change: How Juvenile Justice Facilities Can Better Serve Youth with Mental Health Issues

    Shay Bilchik, Michael Umpierre, & Carly Lenhoff

    This article recommends specific improvements to certain policies of the juvenile justice system pertaining to youth with mental health conditions in order to promote more positive outcomes.

  • Adversity, Trauma, and Behavioral Health Needs Among Justice Involved Youth

    Robert Kinscherff & Karli Keator

    This article discusses how juvenile justice practitioners can use the Risk-Needs-Responsivity (R-N-R) intervention framework to promote rehabilitation among justice-involved youth.

  • What Organizational Factors Influence Mental Health Treatment Allocation?

    Rebecca Arredondo Yazzie

    This article breaks down key factors that determine whether and how juvenile detention centers prioritize mental health treatment for youth.

  • A Decade of Diversion: Ohio’s Behavioral Health Juvenile Justice Initiative

    Jeff Kretschmar, Anthony Capizzi, & Eric Shafer

    This article describes an Ohio program that provides alternatives to detention for youth who have mental health needs or substance abuse issues.

  • New Lessons and Evidence from Reclaiming Futures

    Evan Elkin

    Reclaiming Futures is a peer-based, professionally-coached national learning collaborative aimed at juvenile justice reform. This article outlines evidence of the Reclaiming Futures model’s impact.

  • A Comprehensive In-home Intervention to Reduce Justice System Involvement (an interview)

    An interview with Maryann Davis & Ashli Sheidow

    The interviewees describe an evidence-based practice to reduce justice system involvement among emerging adults via a youth-specific modification to the extant Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) intervention.

  • The Impact of Mental Health Problems and Antisocial Behavior on Education and Employment

    Edward P. Mulvey, Carol A. Schubert, & Samuel Hawes

    This article details findings from a study of the effects of various factors on recidivism and employment and educational outcomes among serious adolescent offenders.