The San Diego County Probation Department will head a new two-year pilot project to help improve the success rate of youth from abusive or neglectful homes who have entered the juvenile justice system. Such youth are at the highest risk for poor outcomes once they reach adulthood. The pilot project focuses on increasing the collaboration between child welfare agencies and juvenile justice agencies and tailoring services and programs to help set the young people on a more positive course.
The Probation Department was one of four recipients of $400,000 grants for the Positive Youth Justice Initiative which is being managed by the Center for Health Program Management and is funded by three California health foundations: Sierra Health Foundation, The California Endowment and the The California Wellness Foundation.
The children targeted by the grant are referred to as “crossover youth” because they have crossed over from involvement with the child welfare system—which intervenes when homes are abusive or neglectful—to the juvenile delinquency system because of unlawful behavior. These youth typically have the worst outcomes of any who enter juvenile hall. They generally don’t attain standard or higher education, they face employment barriers and they frequently use mental health services.
Nationally, 75 to 93 percent of children who enter the juvenile justice system are trauma victims and find little support to address these experiences. The kids are often disconnected from family or other social networks, lack education and face poverty.
http://www.countynewscenter.com/news/probation-pilots-juvenile-justice-system-transformation
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