1. How does the Center view the role of parents?

Parents play a key role in their children's health. The most complete and best child health assessments include parental reports. We recommend that juvenile justice facilities obtain parental reports as part of standard practice. Efforts are currently underway to start using the new Parent version of the Voice DISC in juvenile justice facilities.

2. What does the Center recommend to parents with children in the juvenile justice system?

Help your child to have an accurate mental health assessment.

Although dealing with the justice system is often difficult, parents are the most important advocates for their children, and they can provide essential help to staff trying to meet their child’s needs. You can help your child receive the most fitting services by providing complete and accurate information about your child’s medical and mental health history.

Help your child to get the mental health treatment s/he may need.

When a child enters a juvenile justice facility, his/her mental health assessment helps staff know whether the child needs additional safety measures due to suicidal feelings, and whether s/he has a disorder needing treatment. Treatment may help your child feel and function better, and be less likely to repeat past mistakes.

Advocate for routine re-assessment for mental health problems that may develop over time.

The stress of being in a juvenile justice facility may bring on mental health problems in a child who has never had them before. Because the mental health of a child can change while in a justice setting, the Center recommends that facilities routinely check for mental health problems. As a parent, you should feel free to advocate for your child’s mental health being checked; ask questions about what that assessment involves and about what treatment is being provided. Always alert the facility if you are worried about changes in your child’s mental health.

Provide ongoing support, especially during times of transition.

Your child will need additional support during the stressful times when s/he is being moved from one facility to another, or back to the community. It is common for young people to be especially anxious or depressed at these times of change, and mental health symptoms often worsen before and after.

3. How does the Center for the Promotion of Mental Health in Juvenile Justice protect the confidentiality of assessment information used for research?

The Center does not receive identifying information about any child at any facility with which we consult. All data received by the Center is anonymous, de-identified, and completely confidential.