An Overview of the

Mental Health Remedial Plan

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Division of Juvenile Justice

REDEFINING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO YOUTH

Key Principles for an Integrated Key Principles for an Integrated System of Mental Health ServicesSystem of Mental Health Services

Provides access to the appropriate level of care

A client-focused, strength-based service delivery model

Adaptable to the changing needs of the population served

Key Principles for an Integrated Key Principles for an Integrated System of MHS (cont.)System of MHS (cont.)

Includes timely and appropriate screening and assessment

Treatment services that are evidence-based, focused on skill development, and driven by individual treatment plans

Well trained and dedicated staff, from various disciplines, working as an interdisciplinary treatment team and in collaboration with the youth and their family

Key Principles for an Integrated Key Principles for an Integrated System of MHS (cont.)System of MHS (cont.)

Strong transition planning that involves and prepares the youth, family, and community for re-entry

Clearly defined policies and procedures based on national standards

A strong Quality Assurance program to ensure review, compliance, and program integrity

Highlights of Proposed

Mental Health Remedial Plan

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Division of Juvenile Justice

REDEFINING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO YOUTH

Program DevelopmentProgram Development

Administrative oversight by mental health professionals

Availability of services at licensed inpatient, residential and outpatient level of care

Reduction of population on individual residential mental health programs

Clearly defined, direct service expectations that are evidence-based

Treatment modalities that focus on skill enhancement that is transferable to the community

Program Development (cont.)Program Development (cont.)

Family involvement in all areas of treatment Focused treatment for co-occurring disorders Integration of mental health, academic,

vocational, spiritual services (etc.) in the form of an Interdisciplinary Treatment Team approach

Transition services that are collaborative with parole and community agencies, and that lead to a smooth return to the community

StaffingStaffing

Increase in trained, dedicated mental health professionals across the system to ensure adequate:– Screening and assessment– Integrated treatment planning– Direct services at the appropriate level of frequency

and skill– Provision of clinical direction and training to para-

professionals on mental health programs– Discharge and transition planning– Family involvement throughout stages of treatment

Mental Health Assessment and Mental Health Assessment and Treatment ProtocolsTreatment Protocols

Develop and implement an integrated and state-of-the-art assessment protocol that improves initial, on-going and discharge assessments

Collaboration with Columbia University to introduce the Voice – DISC (Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children) mental health assessment process statewide

V-DISC will assist in the timely and accurate identification of DJJ’s mental health population

Include a strong focus on family involvement throughout process

Inclusive assessments will ultimately be aligned with evidence-based treatment activities

Continued review and improvement in assessment and services to youth in area of suicide prevention

Mental Health Assessment and Mental Health Assessment and Treatment Protocols (cont.)Treatment Protocols (cont.)

Staff Training and DevelopmentStaff Training and Development

Identify training needs for all staff involved with youth, on the treatment program philosophy and tenets of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, skill enhancement and strength-based interventions

Development of an in-service training program for staff delivering mental health services

Strengthen and expand collaborative efforts and partnerships with other state agencies, research institutes, UC system and private universities to develop and enhance professional staff’s skills

Identify training needs and standards that ensure staff are proficient in service delivery, theory, documentation, policy and procedural implementation, etc.

Introduce a Quality management and Peer Review process for professional staff

Improve and expand recruitment efforts for all mental health professionals

Staff Training and DevelopmentStaff Training and Development(cont.)(cont.)

Policy and ProceduresPolicy and Procedures

Develop policies and procedures that are based on national standards and best practices, inclusive of all youth’s needs, and that are clearly defined with respect to expectations and roles of all staff

Identify a process for continual assessment, update and review

Ensure all staff are well trained, knowledgeable and compliant in this area

Identify needs and develop policies to ensure youth with mental illness are provided additional support and adaptive services where necessary

Psychology Intern ProgramPsychology Intern Program

Develop an accredited Psychology Intern program statewide, designed to:– Provide additional direct services to youth– Support to existing psychology staff– Recruit professional staff on a nationwide level– Develop additional collaborations and

partnerships with a broad range of schools of Psychology

Additional Supportive ServicesAdditional Supportive Services

Psychologists involved in providing services to youth in Core Programs will be involved in training and collaborative efforts

Proposed Mental Health Implementation and Mental Health Training Teams will focus on future development of a detailed implementation plan, initial and on-going support to facility administration and health care staff, and monitoring of the progress in all areas of the consent decree.