Screenings and Assessments Used in the Juvenile Justice System - Juvenile Mental Health Screenings and Assessments

The February 2011 AOC Briefing provides a detailed overview of the various screening and assessment instruments used to identify mental health issues and co-occurring disorders in juveniles entering the delinquency system. It emphasizes the importance of using standardized, evidence-based tools to ensure appropriate intervention and treatment, highlighting the difference between screenings (brief, initial checks) and assessments (detailed evaluations). The briefing also discusses the implementation considerations for these instruments, ensuring they are valid, reliable, and culturally competent to effectively support the needs of the juvenile justice population.