Publication Date

2015

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Juvenile delinquents-Services for-California-San Francisco, Juvenile delinquents-Mental health services-California-San Francisco, Probation-California-San Francisco, Mental health services-California-San Francisco, Health services accessibility-California-San Francisco, Mixed methods research, Mental health services, Probation, Incarceration, Juvenile justice, Youth, Access, Restorative justice, Collaborative court, Alameda County, San Francisco County, Contra Costa County, Barriers, Facilitators, Probation officers, Family, Service providers, Wraparound services

Abstract

This study explored a sample of the San Francisco Bay Area agencies providing mental health services to probation youth in hopes of looking at best practices and what barriers and facilitators there are for youth to access services. This study surveyed 19 program leads of agencies that have among their clients, youth on probation. The mixed methods survey included 28 questions covering topics such as services provided, funding sources, client demographics, program structure, coordination with other support services, post-program evaluation and barriers and facilitators to accessing services. The findings demonstrated that these agencies were mostly funded through MediCal contracts and provided a broad range of services. Newer therapeutic approaches were being used with CBT as the number one model while the trauma informed and restorative justice approaches were increasingly incorporated into treatment. The majority of probation clients being served at these agencies were young, men of color from lowincome families and very little data was being recorded about the outcomes for clients after they terminated services. Due to the small sample size, and the little follow-up data available from agencies, no conclusive findings were made about best practices or which structures, services, or models may have the best outcomes for this population. The findings did reveal a strong connection between how the supportive entities in a youth's life affect their access to mental health services during probation. More frequent and facilitated communication needs to take place between client, family, probation officer and service providers for more effective support.

Language

English

Comments

iv, 87 pages. Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, 2015. Includes bibliographical references (pages 62-69)

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