FWSN-advisorybd-repo.. - The Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance

None of these models has been formally evaluated. There is a pending evaluation being
performed by the Connecticut Center on Effective Practice on the court model
mentioned above. (See Appendix VI for more detailed information about the Truancy
Diversion Programs.)
CT Behavioral Health Partnership:
The Department of Children and Families and the Department of Social Services have
formed the Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership (CT BHP) to plan and implement
an integrated public behavioral health service system for children and families. The
primary goal of the CT BHP is to provide enhanced access to and coordination of a more
complete and effective system of community-based behavioral health services and to
improve member outcomes. Secondary goals include better management of state
resources and increased federal financial participation in the funding of behavioral health
services.
The CT BHP is designed to eliminate the major gaps and barriers that exist in the current
children’s behavioral health delivery system. As such, both departments are committing
resources to develop a full continuum of behavioral health services for children that
include evidenced-based programs, non-traditional support services and communitybased
alternatives to restrictive institutional levels of care. Through collaboration with
family members, providers and social support systems, the CT BHP promotes a
strengths-based treatment approach that focuses on client success. Particular attention is
given to the cultural needs and preferences of the child and family and treatment planning
reflect this focus on cultural competency
D. Initial Referral to Court
Any selectman, town manager, police officer or welfare department of any town, city or
borough, any probation officer or superintendent of schools, the Commissioner of
Children and Families, any child-caring institution or agency approved or licensed by the
Commissioner of Children and Families, any youth service bureau, a parent, foster parent
of a child or the child’s representative or attorney may refer children to the court. Most
referrals are made by parents, the police or the superintendent of schools.
Any FWSN complaint relating to truancy, habitual truancy or defiance of school rules
may only be referred after the school has exhausted all available options to rectify the
problem. CGS § 10-189a requires the following must have occurred before a referral:
(1) A meeting was held with the parent of the child who is truant and appropriate school
personnel reviewed and evaluated the reasons for the child being truant and such meeting
was held not later than ten school days after the child’s fourth unexcused absence in a
month or the tenth unexcused absence in a month or the tenth unexcused absence in a
school year; (2) Coordination of services and referrals for the child were made to
community agencies who provide child and family services; (3) The parent was informed
each year in writing of the obligations of the parent; (4) Reasonable efforts were made by
school personnel whenever the child failed to report to school and no indication was
received by the school that the child’s parent was aware of the child’s absence.
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