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Posted June 22, 2007

Adolescent Development and Mental Health Pre-conference Seminar

NCSL's Spring Forum of the Standing Committees in Washington, D.C., April 19-21, included a special pre-conference session, "Adolescent Development and Mental Health," sponsored by NCSL projects with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation of Chicago, Illinois. 

The half-day program on Thursday, April 19, focused on both adolescent development issues  and the mental health needs of young people involved in juvenile justice systems. 

The program featured Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D, director, Temple University, and network chair of the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice, Pennsylvania.  Mr. Steinberg presented research findings relating how juvenile reasoning and behaviors, affect competency, culpability and policy options for juvenile crime and delinquency.  Check out the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice website for more related information.

Also featured at the program was J. Robert Flores, administrator of the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).  Mr. Flores discussed the prevalence of mental health needs among juvenile offenders and assessment tools used to identify and treat needs, including a screening and assessment guidebook.  Mr. Flores also highlighted a model developed by OJJDP, "Mental Health and Juvenile Justice: Building a Model for Effective Service" to promote better services to youths with mental health needs.

The program also included a closer look at programs and services designed to respond to mental health needs of juveniles.  Bruce Kamradt, director of Wraparound Milwaukee and Children's Mental Health Services described how the program has saved money in moving juvenile offenders from institutions to community care.

NCSL's juvenile justice project  with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is in Denver, Colorado.  NCSL's coordinated mental health work with MacArthur, is in Washington, D.C.