Research shows that between 60 and 80 percent of youth involved with the juvenile justice system meet the criteria for at least one psychiatric diagnosis and that, of this group, approximately 80 percent meet the criteria for two or more mental health or substance abuse disorders. These important provisions represent a sure step forward in addressing the disparate mental health needs of justice-involved and at-risk youth, and we look forward to working with the House of Representatives to identify additional ways that JJDPA can provide effective interventions for this group of young people. Create a new incentive grant program to help State and local governments address mental health and substance abuse needs among juvenile justice-involved youth by: fostering linkages between juvenile justice and public mental health agencies promoting the use of evidence-based prevention, identification and intervention strategies providing staff training and supporting at-risk youth.Authorize a much-needed study to fill in significant gaps in the research regarding the prevalence of disabilities among the juvenile justice population and.Provide states with training and technical assistance related to effective mental health and substance abuse screening, assessment, and treatment.Direct states to outline in their State Plans their efforts to use evidence-based mental health and substance abuse screening and assessment programs for youth in secure facilities.Add experts in mental health to the State Advisory Groups.
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Add the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to the Federal Coordinating Council for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.678, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009, contains a number of provisions related to mental and behavioral health that:
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We are encouraged by Senate efforts thus far and the convening of today’s hearing. We see its pending reauthorization as an opportunity to address the mental and behavioral health needs of this population which exist at rates 3 to 4 times that found in the overall population under the age of 18. This critical law serves to protect communities, prevent delinquent behavior, guide the treatment of justice-involved and at-risk youth, and address dangerous conditions of confinement. Together, our organizations represent disability and mental health advocates, consumers, and professionals, and strongly support the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). On behalf of the American Psychological Association (APA), Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Mental Health America (MHA), and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), we thank you for holding this important hearing on juvenile justice.