Juvenile Justice Work Group                                              of the School Age Committee

Co-Chairs: Dr. Gene Griffin and Betsy Clark

Staff: Colette Lueck

History:

The Juvenile Justice Work Group is comprised of key leadership from various components of the Juvenile Justice system including probation, juvenile detention, courts, and diversion. Organizations represented include the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Mandel law clinic, Northwestern University, Metropolis 2020, Youth Outreach Services, the Department of Human Services Divisions of Mental Health and Prevention, and the League of Women Voters (Illinois). Two thirds of youth involved with the juvenile justice system have unaddressed mental health needs. Over twenty five percent of those have never received any mental health services. The Work Group has as its mission improving access to mental health screening, assessment and treatment for youth impacted by the juvenile justice system.

Accomplishments:

• Conducted two colloquia on mental health screening for youth with juvenile justice involvement, which were led by national experts and included local provider panels.
  

• Worked with legislative leadership to draft legislation stating that information gained as part of a screening or assessment process cannot be used during adjudication, which passed in March 2010 and is currently awaiting the governor’s signature.
  

Current Activities:

• Planning a subject matter hearing for spring of 2010 on the interface between juvenile justice and mental health.