Division of Youth Services

1. Division of Youth Services Director Betty Guhman DHS Executive Team Meeting September 1, 2017

2. DYS Core Beliefs, Common Themes • Individualized assessment and case management for families and youth • Services in least-restrictive settings, located close to home • Wide array of community based service options for judges, families and youth • Family-focused, strength-based approach to services • Reduced use of confinement and commitment to DYS • Limited length of stay recommendations in residential settings • Structured, data-driven decision making at every stage of system • Better collaboration, data sharing among all parts of juvenile justice system • Focus on education and vocational training opportunities for all youth • Collaboration with local school districts and other community services

3. DYS: Who We Are • ~ 60 Permanent Employees • ~ 280 Temporary Employees (since Jan. 1, 2017) • 84% State General Revenue • Residential and Community-Based Services via Contract • Central Office: • Youth and Family Case Management • Operations: Residential and Community Service Contracts • System Reform/Research &Reporting (Data)

4. DYS: Who We Serve Youth ages 10-20 and their families Committed a delinquent act At risk of delinquency – Truant, Runaway, Defiant 500 youth and families in residential caresecure residential facilities, emergency shelter, residential treatment centers, group homes 8,000+ youth and families in community (community service providers)Family assessment and case management, family reunification, aftercare, diversion, Families in Need of Services

5. DYS Youth: Why They are Here • Inadequate family support system or placement • Lack of access to mental health, DD, & substance abuse services in community • Commitment of delinquent (felony) acts • Criminalization of normal youth behavior • Multi-generational abuse • Stigma of sexual acting out • Impulsivity, aggression, and other symptoms of MH disorder • Undiagnosed/untreated learning disorders

6. DYS Committed Youth: Demographics • >85% male; >50% African American • >45% have at least one MH disorder other than conduct disorder or substance abuse Of those, more than half have multiple co-occurring disorders • Most test below average or lower on IQ • Median age at commitment is 15 yrs; average length of stay is 7 months • Majority have prior contacts with child welfare system • >85% below grade level in math and reading • >70% committed for property/drug offenses or technical violations of probation • Only 10% committed for serious violent offenses

7. DYS Challenges • Schools represent >60% of justice-system referrals • FINS supervision converts status offenders to delinquents • Lack of supervision, placement, & non-secure services for youth 18+, sex offenders, and EJJ youth • Access to specialized services in some areas of the state • Rising costs of secure confinement versus stagnant revenues • Difficulty of serving youth with co-occurring MH & DD disorders who may have serious conduct/criminal issues • Families with generational substance abuse and/or dependency/neglect behaviors

8. Focus on the Family Unit Focus on Data Driven Decisions • Interviews and survey of judges cite “parents” as a common cause of delinquency and highest service need • Most youth will return to their same home and community • Building up strengths of family crucial to avoid commitment & recidivism • Family assessment/treatment planning concurrent with youth assessment/treatment planning • Contracts & services incorporate performance indicators and outcome measures • Improve data systems to collect, report, and analyze data trends and outcomes • Accountability for DYS staff, providers, & clients • Support client and program decisions with actual data • Efficient and effective use of limited resources

9. 2017 DYS Initiatives • Jan 1 – Assumed direct control of seven regional treatment centers • March – Cooperation with DBHS to provide therapy services to committed youth • June – Judicial District Innovation grants statewide • July – Restructured DYS organization to focus on comprehensive case management • July – Established Research & Reporting Unit • July - Family Advocate at Central Office • July- Family Liaisons at seven facilities • Aug – Transitioned to Virtual Arkansas as provider of education curriculum • Sept – Medicaid consultant to review DYS services; • Sept- Physical security review of secure facilities • Oct/Nov – FY 19 residential & community-based contract solicitations • Ongoing – Collaboration with DCFS in joint contracts for placements • Assist existing and new providers to participate in Behavioral health transformation

10. DYS Leadership Director: Betty Guhman Assistant Director, Residential and Community Operations: Marq Golden Assistant Director, Youth and Family Case Management: Carmen Mosley-Sims System Reform Manager: Adam Baldwin Facilities Administrator: April Hannah Clinical Director: James Walker Education Director: Dr. Marcella Dalla Rosa

11. Community Based Youth Service Providers East Ark Youth Services, Marion Consolidated Youth Services, Jonesboro Youth Bridge, Fayetteville United Family Services, Little Rock, Pine Bluff Ouachita Children’s Center, Hot Springs Phoenix Youth and Family, Crossett Conway County Community Services, Morrilton Health Resources of Arkansas, Batesville Comprehensive Juvenile Services, Ft Smith South Ark Youth Services, Hope Southwest Ark Youth Services, Magnolia Counseling Clinic, Benton Professional Counseling Associates, Lonoke

12. DYS Secure Residential Facilities • AJATC Ark Juvenile Assessment & Treatment Center 75 boys, 25 girls • 20 Assessment beds • LJTF Lewisville Juvenile Treatment Facility 28 boys • MJTF Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Facility 32 boys, 16 girls • DJTF Dermott Juvenile Treatment Facility 32 boys • DJCF Dermott Juvenile Correctional Facility 42 boys, 18-21 • CJTF Colt Juvenile Treatment Facility 28 boys • HJTF Harrisburg Juvenile Treatment Facility 32 boys