LOUISIANA Community Mental Health Services Block Grant ...

Some progress toward a better understanding of agencies‟ resources, current policies and
procedures, systemic concerns, and potential problems has occurred between the juvenile courts and
DHH agencies. Through the Interagency Service Coordination (ISC) and Families in Need of
Services (FINS), the DHH agencies, Office of Family Services, Office of Youth Development,
Department of Education, and juvenile courts are beginning to plan more effectively for placement
and development of community resources to keep children out of institutions.
It has long been recognized that many of the state‟s youth are entering the judicial system with
undiagnosed or unaddressed mental health concerns. There have been numerous attempts to
remedy this situation, which include mental health screenings upon initial contact with the juvenile
justice system as well as attempts to develop and implement electronic health or other record
systems and universal databases; many of these types of systems are still under study, development,
and review.
The following regional programs offer examples of available preventative and/or intervention type
Juvenile Justice Services:
MHSD:
Juvenile Court Liaison in Orleans parish provides a social worker in court setting to triage
clients for SED and AD
Juvenile Court Liaison in Plaquemines parish provides resources to courts to coordinate care
for clients.
CAHSD:
Juvenile Drug Court completes CASI assessment and group treatment for substance use.
Region III:
Regional School Based DARE Program promotes substance awareness and prevention in
school
LaFourche Juvenile Justice Facility (LJJF) provides shelter, group home, and detention
along with ROPES course
Juvenile Justice Program offers ROPES challenge course for children and youth age 11-18.
St. Mary‟s Parish Juvenile Drug Court is a program in the community that although does not
target EBD population, it does provide mental health services
Trackers Program is a daily monitoring of youth involved with OJJ, administered by GCTFS
Region IV:
FINS offers interagency assistance, support, and collaboration for youth at risk of juvenile
justice system involvement
Juvenile Drug Court is a 4 phase program that includes drug screens, individual, group, and
family counseling.
Juvenile Day Reporting Center provides a safe, structured alternative day program for
expelled and out of school youth.
St. Martin Juvenile Detention Center-Mental Health Services offers assessment, treatment,
and aftercare services for youth incarcerated in St. Martin Juvenile Detention center.
PART C LOUISIANA FY 2011 PAGE 247
SECTION III: ADULT & CHILD/ YOUTH PLAN – CRITERION 3
CHILDREN’S SERVICES -- SYSTEM OF INTEGRATED SERVICES