Published: July 05, 2008 06:17 pm            

Clark County on forefront of juvenile treatment

Clark County Superior Court Judge Vicki Carmichael has seen her share of youth coming through her courtroom.

“Over the years, there are so many kids that go through the [juvenile justice] system time and time again and you’re never really sure what’s going on with them,” Carmichael said. “You know something is wrong, but you can’t quite pinpoint it.”

Now, Clark County’s juvenile detention center is one of six chosen in the state to participate in a pilot program, targeted at finding that problem and fixing it.

The Juvenile Mental Health Screening, Assessment and Treatment Pilot Project, initiated by the Indiana State Bar Association, focuses on screening youths within hours of their arrival in the juvenile justice system for mental health and

substance abuse disorders. Treatment, such as counseling, is then administered to those who need it.

Clark’s center — which also serves youth in Floyd, Harrison and Scott counties — has been doing the screenings since Jan. 1. Carmichael said though it is too early to see any changes in the number of youth in the juvenile justice system, she does see an obvious increase in those getting help.

Judge Mary Harper, who is the chair of the advisory board for the project, said this program not only benefits the children, but also those who work with them, such as employees in the detention centers. She said it helps the employees address the needs of the youth as well as improve safety.

Harper said youth are still held accountable for their offenses. However, she said oftentimes children are acting out due to issues that can be resolved through treatment.

Carmichael compared the old way of “putting Band-Aids” on the issues, while this process helps to heal the problems and prevent the children from returning.

“I think we will see a reduction in recidivism if we continue to give them the care that they need,” she said.

Douglas Church, president of ISBA, said that reduction will save “significant tax dollars” by having less people in juvenile detention centers.

The latest figures from the Kids Count Data Book show Indiana ranks sixth in the nation for having the most juveniles locked up. The report, released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said that an estimated 2,616 youths were in custody in the state on any given day in 2006.

Indiana’s rate of detained and committed youths was 183 per 100,000 youth (ages 10-15). The national rate was 125 per 100,000 youth.

Harper said though no solid figures are available yet, she believes this project will help to lower that rate over time. She said the goal is to branch out to the rest of the state.

“This is long-term. This is not a temporary thing,” she said of the screening and treatment program. “We want this to become a way of doing business.”

Carmichael said she hopes this goes a step further in the future. She said she would like to see a mental health diversion program for kids. That way, children would have access to screening and treatment programs before entering the juvenile justice system.

        

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