Models for Change, Systems Reform in the Juvenile Justice System, Published Jul 29, 2010, Illinois Models for Change Behavioral Health Assessment Team.
Abstract
In response to a request for technical assistance from the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), the Illinois Models for Change initiative assembled a team of mental health and corrections experts to evaluate the department’s behavioral health policies, practices and programming. This assessment of DJJ’s behavioral health program is based primarily on a series of site visits to the department’s eight facilities. Given the geographic diversity of the facilities and the expedited timetable for completion of the assessment, this report would not have been possible without the full cooperation of DJJ’s management team. The assessment team would also like to thank DJJ’s staff members and the youth who agreed to be interviewed for the assessment. Their experiences and perspectives helped inform team members’ understanding of DJJ’s current behavioral health programming and areas of future.
