KYDJJ Second Chance Act: Successful Treatment and Reentry of Youth with Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Needs

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice's (KYDJJ) target population will include males and females ages 14 - 18 who are in the care of KYDJJ within the Western KY area, including residential, day treatment and on community supervision. The goals of the project are to develop an accessible and comprehensive continuum of recovery services, develop a plan for comprehensive data collection, improve screening and assessment processes and tools, and incorporate evidence-based practices and case management services for criminogenic needs and substance use disorders. The project will demonstrate an increase in positive outcomes for youth in West Kentucky. The expected outcomes include (1) an increase in appropriate assessment, identification, and documentation of youth with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse needs; (2) integration and use of evidence-based, individualized treatment plans for youth, and family engagement activities with youth within facilities and on community supervision located within the Western Kentucky service region.