The Relationships Between Youths' Identified Substance Use, Mental Health or Other Problems at a Juvenile Assessment Center and Their Referrals to Needed Services

ABSTRACT

We report the results of a study of the processing of youths at the Hillsborough County (Tampa), Florida, Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) involving the preliminary screening, assessor staff service recommendations and service utilization outcomes of 143 youths processed at the Tampa JAC. The relationships between the youths' potential problems identified during the preliminary screening process and assessor recommendations for follow-up services are examined. The outcomes of youths referred for further services are described. The policy and service delivery implications of the findings are drawn.