Annual report - Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Division of Youth Services, 1986

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GA _ C200.l .A1 1986
A UAL REPORT FI CfiL YEAR 1986
THE DIVISIO" OF YOOTH SEitVICES

STATE OF GEORGIA

Joe Frank HarrIs Governor

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
James G. Ledbetter, Ph.D. CommIssIoner

DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES
MarjorIe H. Young DIrector

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

BenjamIn B. Okel, M.D. ChaIrman
Helen G. Byars* VIce ChaIrman
Wei I sRI I ey, M D Secretary
DewItt C. Alfred, Jr., M.D.* W. Lamar CousIns, M.D.* Mary M Ry man

H. Gordon DavIs, M.D.
DavId T. Johnson* Lamar AkIns Bev Long, R.N. James L. FIsher, M.D. Bernese C. Meyer*
Robert H. Herndon* Laura S. Vann* Solomon W. Walker, II

*Members of Youth ServIces CommIttee

TABLE OF COHTEHTS

Page
. I Director's . . ... . Letter ..................
I I Role Of The Division. .......................... 2

I I I. Detention Programs 3

Regional Youth Development Centers 4
Attention Homes. .......................... 6

I V. Treatment Programs 7

Non-Res Ident Ia I Programs.................. 7

......... Court Services

7

......... Commu n Ity Treatment Centers.

9

Day Centers .................... 11

.......... Residential Programs

13

.......... Youth Development Centers

13

Group Homes ..................... 15

Contract Homes 16

Wilderness Youth Development Program. 17

Spec Ia I I zed Res Ident Ia I Serv Ices. 19

Short-Term Treatment Programs 20

Project Challenge 21

V. Investigations Un It 22
VI Commitments ................................ 23
VI I Appendix ................................. 26

Budget 28
Commitments By Cou nty .................... 29

Ma p 32

878 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E. / ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309
November 15, 1986
James G. Ledbetter, Ph.D., Commissioner Georgia Department of Human Resources 47 Trinity Avenue, S.W. Room 522-H Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Dr. Ledbetter:
The following report of the Division of Youth Services' program operations and accomplishments during Fiscal Year 1986 is being submitted to you in compliance with the Children and Youth Act of 1963. During Fiscal Year 1986, we experienced a 7% increase in the number of commitments to the Division and saw a 6% rise in the number of youth served by our Court Services staff.
Indicators are that the State's juvenile population is increasing significantly. The Governor's Office of Planning and Budget's projections for the 10-16 age cohort increased by 9% last year. This is a trend that is projected to continue into the 1990s.
In the most recent data available, the 1985 Georgia Bureau of Investigation's records indicate that juvenile arrests increased by 11%. The Council of Juvenile Court Judges' records indicate that juvenile court referrals increased by 20% from fiscal year 1984 to 1985. These trends are placing increasing population pressures on our Court Services, detention, community alternatives and youth development centers.
We continue to emphasize alternate placements for our committed youth. During FY 86, we placed 1,466 youth in alternate placements rather than in youth development centers. This represents a 4% increase over FY 85 0,413). In addition, a recent report from the U. S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) indicates that Georgia is now ranked 24th in the rate of juvenile institutionalization. Georgia had the sixth greatest decrease in institutionalization of juveniles in correctional settings. In past years, Georgia had one of the highest institutionalization rates in the country.
I continue to be proud to submit to you the results of the hard work and dedication of staff of the Division of Youth Services throughout the State.
Sincerely,
~ " ' ~ M~rjorge H. Young, Birect~r
Division of Youth Services
1\1 HY/rm

1

AN EQUAL QPKJRTUNITY EMI'LQYER

ROLE OF THE DiViSion

The parent agency of the Division of Youth Services was created by law In the 1963 Session of the General Asserrb Iy (Act No. 55, HE. ~o 5). The purpose of the act was to create within the Department of Fan'! i Iy and Children Services an autonomous Division for Children and Youth for the "protection, care, training and supervision of certain children and youth of the state and to define powers, du11es and functions of the DIv I5 Ion, the Board and the off Ic Ia Is thereof." The short title of the act was the Children and Youth Act. AI I programs pertaining to services for children were Incorporated within the division, with delinquency programs as one unit. The only program of the delinquency unit consisted of three Training Schools providing Institutional care. With the creation of the Department of Human Resources In Fiscal Year 1971, the de I Inquency programs were placed under the direction of the Division of Community Services. In 1975, Youth Services was given ful I d Ivl s lonal status. Organizationally, the operations of the Division are carried out by four sections: Institutional Services, Field Services, Administrative Services, and Program Support and Staff Development.

Number of Youth Served In Fiscal Year 1985 And 1986

D. Y. S. PROGRAMS

NU~ ER SERVED

FISCAL YEAR

1985

1986

Detention Programs:

Regional Youth Development Centers ll,500 12,126

(11,203) (11,774)

Attention Homes 555

444

Treatment Programs: Non-Residential Programs:
Court Servlces 16,003 Community Treatment Centers l,Oll Day Centers . 274 Residential Programs: Youth Development Centers l,633
(977) Group Homes ......... 68 Contract Home ... 575 SpecIalized ResidentIal Servlces 88 Wilderness Youth Development Program 112 Short-Term Treatment Program 116 Project Chal lenge 50

16,951 1,008 266
1,678 (1,058)
80 645 155 110
90 50

Investigations ~

853

908

Interstate Compact l,161

833

Undupllcated Estimate: () Admissions

22,200 23,330

z

DETErtTiO" PROGRAMS

The Georgla,Juvenlle Proceedings Code. as amended. provides for the taking Into custody and detention of a child prior to a Juvenile Court hearing If (1) secure detention Is required to' protect the person or property of others or of the ch II d. (2) the ch II d may abscond or be removed from the Jurisdiction of the court. (3) he has no parent. guardIan or custodian or other person able to. provide supervision and care for him and return him to court

when required. or (4) an order tor his detention or shelter care has been made by the court pursuant to th Is Code.
The Georgia Department of Human Resources. Division of Youth Services. through a cooperative effort with the local courts. has developed a statewide system of secure and nonsecure detention services for Juveniles.

Regional Youth Development Centers

Regional Youth Development Centers (RYDCs) are secure detention centers which serve most geographical areas of the state. The Ir purpose Is the temporary. secure detention of youth who are al reged to be delinquent or who have been adjudicated delinquent and who are awaiting disposition of the court or transfer to another jurisdiction or agency. Some of the regional centers operate a short-term. structured. residential treatment program for committed youth as an alternative to a State Youth Development Center placement.
AI I Regional Youth Development Centers provide care In a therapeutic setting

for youth who are deta Ined. Programs at each RYDC vary. but most Include remedial education. Individual guidance and counseling. Indoor and outdoor recreation and arts and crafts. Many Centers have a behavior management or token economy system. Each Center Is required to have weekly rei Iglous serv Ices for any youth des Iring them. Clothing. meals. medical and emergency dental services are a part of each Center's basic care program.
In addition to the state-operated centers. two counties (Fulton and DeKalb) have Independently operated detention facilities. The Division contracts with DeKalb and Fulton for services.

Regional Youth Development Centers Trends FY86
The 17 RYDCs admItted 11.774 youth In FY86. a 5% Increase over the FY85 total of 11.203. The avaIlabIlIty of secure and nonsecure detention resources resulted In low utIlIzatIon of adult JaIls for Juvenile offenders. Only 73 youth were admItted to adult JaIls statewide In FY86(an 11% decline from FY85). As recently as the early 1960's. an estimated 7.000 Juveniles were Jailed annually In Georgia.

Three new RYDCs are under construct Ion InC Iaxton. Deka Ib. and

]L....T-homasv II Ie. They are expected to open In FY87.

......I

14

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-~ 6
0

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YOUTH ADMITTED TO REGIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CE TERS

7.711 7559

1119

10.99 10132

1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986
Fiscal Year

Note: Transfer of county facIlItIes to the state (Clarke In FY76, Clayton In FY77, and Chatham In FY82) affects trends.

ADMISSIONS AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL DETENTION STATEWIDE
co....... DET
3.6 ,.;
~(iZ~!e-- JAIL
0.6";

FISCAL 1986

R. Y. D. C. Catchment Areas

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Attention Homes

The Attention Home Program provides the Juvenile Court with an alternative to detention In a Regional Youth Development Center or jail. Attention Homes divert selected offenders from any contact with secure confinement.
Attention Home bed spaces are located throughout the state In private homes or community facilities. This program provides

24-hour emergency care for youth need Ing a temporary pIace to stay unt II they can return home or unt J I a suitable placement can be made. The Division also operates a statew Ide referral system for youth who reside In counties where there are no Attention Homes. The Attention Home Program and RYDCs have brought about the virtual elimination of the use of adult
Jails for Juveniles.

Attention Homes Trends FY86
Attention Homes served 444 youth In FY86, a 20% decrease from the FY85 tota I of 555.

1400

1200

"'0 1000

Q)

~

Q)
Vl

800

10..
Q)
..a 600
E
~
Z 400

200

YOUTH SERVED BY ATTENTION HOMES

1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986
Fiscal Year
6

TREATMEttT PROGRAMS
rton-Residen tial Program,S

COURT SERVICES

The Court Services Program Is a statewide delinquency program, established In 1963. Court Service Workers maintain a working relationship with the Juvenile Courts and the local communities. This program provides Intake, probation, counselIng, case management, supervision, detention planning and aftercare supervision In most counties of Georgia. In some areas Intake and probation services are provided by county staff, or there Is a shared services arrangement.
Intake Is the decision-making point which a youth Is either diverted from or formally processed Into the Juvenile Justice system. During the Intake process, emphasis Is placed on resolving the youth's problems

without court processing, especially for first time and minor offenders, Including status offenders. Should a youth be adjudicated and placed under probation, the Court Service Worker, serving as probation officer, pursues a plan of action which assists the youth In meeting the terms of the court order. The Court Service Worker may also be Involved In obtaining support services, job seeking or training, and maintaining a probationer In schoo I. Once a youth Is com mItted, case management services and aftercare supervision are provided to youth upon return home from a residential program. For committed and noncomm Itted youth, the workers often provide Individual, group or family counsel Ing.

Court Services Trends FY86
The Court Services program served 16,951 youth In FY86, a 6~ Increase over the FY85 total of 16,003. The average dally caseload of the 165 Court Serv Ice Workers was 40.9.

7

18
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06

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YOUTH RECEIVING COURT SERVICES

15526
13728 15846

14411

14061

13881

13322

14899 14574

r

,

1

75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86

Fiscal year

Court Serv lee Workers often make referra I s to commun ltv rest ltut' on programs such as the one shown above at Red Top Mountain State Park.
8

COMMUrtlTY TREfiTMErtT CErtTERS

Commun Ity Treatment Centers are relatively smal I, nonresidential, commun Ity-based programs for the del Inquent and unru Iy offender. Smal I caseloads of 8-12 youth per worker permit an Intensive, structured treatment format. Although staffed by DYS workers, each Community Treatment Center Is an Integral part of the local community. Linkages with private and public sector agencies are promoted In order to Increase serv Ices to youth and Integrate them successfully Into the larger commun Ity.
Recreation programs are established to promote physical fitness and appropriate leisure time pursuits. Group counseling deals with problems experienced by these adolescents, (e.g., family relationships, peer pressures, alcohol and drug abuse, etc.)
Group activities provide structured

learning experiences In the areas of sex education, health, law-related education and other life skll Is areas. Special emphasis Is placed on emplOlablllty skills, stressing the behavior and skll Is necessary to obtain and retain jobs. In some areas, actual work experience programs are a part of the Community Treatment Program.
Parents are Involved In famIly counseling or parent effectiveness tra InIng at some Commun Ity Treatment Centers and through other local agencIes or prIvate resources.
Centers are located In the fol lowIng counties: DeKalb (2), Fulton (2), Bartow, Chatham, Clayton, Cobb, Col qu Itt, Coweta, Flo,' d, GIy nn, Gw Innett, Hall, Houston, BIbb, Muscogee, Richmond, Spalding, Upson and WhItfield. A new center In Walton County began operation In FY86.

Community Treatment Centers Trends FY86
The eo.nlnun liy Treatment Centers served 1008 youth In FY86 cOlnpered to the FY85 tote I of 1011.

1400
.20
1000
~ Q)
~ 600
Q)
1I'l
...
Q)
J:J
E 600
::l Z
400
200

YOUTH SERVED I COMMU ITY TREAT1fE T CE_ TERS

72 73 74 75 76 77 76 79 60 61 82 63 64 85 66 Fiscal Vear

Commun I ty treatment centers use group counse I I ng, as we I I as other
means of I ntervent Ion, to address the prob I ems of youth before they have progressed too far Into the Juvenile Justice system. Expansion of the CTC program statewide Is being sought because of Its successful diversion effort.

10

DAY (EHlERS

Day Centers are nonresidential, community-based alternative schools for delinquent and unruly offender~ Average In-school population Is approximately 25 youth. Linkages are developed with local community resources and, In particular, with the local school system In order to Increase services to youth and facilitate their reentry Into the educational system.
Youth referred to the Day Centers spend a short period of time (usually less than six months) acquiring the academic and social

sk I I Is necessary to successfu Ily reenter an educational setting.
Life skll Is education In law related, health and career education are Included In the curriculum. Group, Individual and family counseling are focused on resolving the underlying causes of schoolrelated problems (nonattendance, suspension, etc.) and/or law
violative behavior. Recreational and cultural activities are estab I Ished to promote phy sica I fitness and appropriate leisure time pursuits.

Day Centers Trends FY86
The Day Centers prov Ided serv Ices for 266 youth In FY86 COli pared to the FY85 total of 274. There are centers located In Chatham, DeKalb, and Fulton Countle~

350
] 300
~ 250
Q)
Vl 200
L-
a> 150
E.0 100
Z~ 50

YOUTH SERVED IN DAY CENTERS

75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83
Fiscal Year

11

Day Centers stress educational services In "alternative school" settings. Improvements during FY86 Include the addition of computerbased Instruction.
12

Residential Programs
YOOTH DEVELOPMErtT CErtTER.5

State Youth Development Centers are residential Institutions providing rehab I , Itatlon and treatment for those youth comm Itted to the Division of Youth Services by Juvenile or Superior Courts of Georgia. AI I four centers provide academic, vocational, medical, counseling and rei Iglous services. These placements are for youth for whom no alternate plan Is available or considered desirable.
The Atlanta YDC with a capacity of 100, services males who have been assessed as having low publ Ie risk ratings, who live within a 100 mile radius of the YDC, and whose residential support needs have been assessed as being high. The center's program cal Is for a good degree of cooperation and Involvement with the youth's Court Service Worker and the youth's fam I Iy.
The Augusta YDC serves males who have been assessed as having medium public risk ratings; youth with high mental health needs; and youth who have significant prior histories or previous YDC placements. The Augusta YDC has a capacity of 240.

The educational program Includes Introductory vocational courses such as smal I engine repair, brick masonry and fast food service.
The Macon YDC serves females and has a capacity of 80. The therapeutic mil leu provides Individual and group counsel lng, academic and prevocational education, career education and recreation. Students who qualify are able to participate In and complete the Center's Nursing Assistance and High School programs.
The MI I Iedgev I I Ie YDC, with a capacity of 240, serves males who have been assessed as having a high public risk rating; a history of aggressive and/or assaultive behavior; escapees; high alcohol and drug rating; and high medical needs. Program goals Include helping youth develop Impulse control and appropriate decision making skll Is. Because the med Ian age of the youth served Is 16.5 years, the Center places emphasis on career education, Introduction to vocational education and Its community (off campus) work program. The MI I Iedgev I II e YDC rs the most secure of the state YDCs.

Youth Development Centers Trends FY86
The four YDCs adm Itted 1058 youth In FY86, an 8~ I ncrease over the FY85 total of 977. Center totals were 85 followSl

ATLANTA

138

AUGUSTA

420

MACON

140

MILLEDGEVILLE 360

TOTAL

1058

13

ADMISSIONS TO STATE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
3000

2500

-t- Total
- ~ - Male ..... Female

-"'0
Q) 2000

1 7

E
"'0

<{ 1500

~
Q)
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E
~ 1000

SOD

373

305 211 322

213

111 240 269 . + .....~....
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212
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240 250 1

223 .

20... ....

.2.121....2.0+.3......16..1.......1..2.1........1..40

69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
Fiscal Year

The Youth Development Centers offer comprehensIve programs, IncludIng vocatIonal traInIng and Job readIness programs. DurIng FY86 the process of accred Itat Ion of the centers was begun. Approva I of the accredItatIon by the AmerIcan CorrectIonal AssocIatIon for the Macon YDC Is antIcIpated In FY87.
14

GROUP HOMES

The Group Home Program Is a
placement for delinquent youth who come from unstable home sltuatlon~ Youth from throughout the state are referred to one of three locations: Winder, Galnesvll Ie or Savannah. In these fac I I Ities, you ng men share a structured home environment.

Counselors often use a group counsel Ing method to ameliorate the effects of a poor home situation. Fort Vargo BOy's' Group Home In Winder Is a Joint DNR/DHR project. The home Is located In the park, and the residents are hired for park maintenance services.

Group Homes Trends FY86
The Group Home Program served 80 youth In FY86, an .18~ Increase over the FY85 total of 68. The three homes have a dally capacity of 24.

200

'1J

Q)

>
L

150

Q)

(f)

L 100
Q)
.n
E 50
::J
Z

YOUTH SERVED BY GROUP HOMES

75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
Fiscal Year

15

COrtY'RACY HOMES

Contract homes, I Ike group homes,
provide residential treatment for delinquent and unruly youths whose home situation Is contributing to their behavior. Services are provided In an atmosphere as much I Ike home as possible through contracts
with private faml' les, Institutions

or commun Ity facilities. The Division has developed and expanded this program due to Its cost effectiveness and statewide availability. The Contract Home Program makes maximum use of community resources as youth attend schools and participate In community activities.

Contract Homes Trends FY86

The Contract Home Program served 645 youth In FY86, a 12~ Increase

over the FY85 total of 575.

.

700
] 600
>~ 500
(/) 400
L-
..Qc) 300
E 200
~ 100

YOUTH SERVED BY CONTRACT HOMES

1978 1980 1982 1984 1986
Fiscal Year

16

WILDERrtESS YOUTH DEVELOPME"T PROGRAM

The WI Iderness Youth Deve Iopment Program Is a short-term treatment program for youth commItted to the oIv Is Ion of Youth Serv Ices. Purchased from the prIvate sector, thIs program provIdes an alternatIve to placement In a Youth Development

Center through a twenty-sIx (26) day wIlderness experIence. Also, some youth are served In transItIon from
YDC placement to aftercare. Upon completIon of the wIlderness experIence, youth return home or to another communIty placement on aftercare status.

Wilderness Youth Development Program Trends FY86
The Wilderness Youth Development Program served 110 youth In FY86, a 2% decrease from the FY85 total of 112.

160

"0 140
Q)
~ 120
~ 100

~ 80

CD

.0 60

E
:J

40

Z 20

YOUTH SERVED BY THE lnLDERNESS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

1980198119821983198419851986
Fiscal Year

17

The Wilderness Youth Development Program often Involves confidencebuilding and team-building experiences.
18

SPEClfiLIZED RESIDErtTlfiL SERVICES

This program provIdes resIdentIal treatment servIces for delInquent and unruly youth who need more specIalized care than the DIvIsion of Youth ServIces or Department of

Human Resources programs currently provIde. These youth either requIre long-term resIdentIal placement or specIalIzed treatment servIces. ServIces are obtaIned from the prIvate sector.

Specilized Residential Services Trends FY86
SpecIalIzed servIces were obtaIned for 155 youth In FY86 a 76~ Increase over the 88 served In FY85.

160
'UQ) 140
(: 120
~ 100
L- 80
Q)
..0 60
E 40
:J
Z 20

YOUTH SERVED BY SPECIALIZED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

'81 '82 '83 '84
Fiscal Year

19

.sHO~T-TE~M

P~OG~fiM.s

The Short-Term Treatment Program provides structured, residential treatment to committed youth for a short time (less than four months) In smal I groups within the secure Regional Youth Development Center setting. Youth served are those not In need of long-term InstitutionalIzation but not presently appropriate for a less structured commun Ity-based program.
Programs are located In the Athens, Eastman and Blake Iy centers. Programs Include academic experience and alcohol and drug counseling. Programs on empl"fment opportunities are coordinated with the Department of Labor and a unit on family planning Is coordinated with the local

health department. Students In each of the programs participate In an official first aid course which Is coordinated by the local chapter of the American Red Cross as wei I as a citizen awareness program which Is developed by the area volunteer coordinator. In addition, the Athens program offers an extensive wI Iderness exper Ience whi ch Inc Iudes rafting, backpacking, rappel ling and camping. The Eastman program added an outdoor component I~ FY85.
Although housed In a secure facility, each Regional Youth Development Center's Short-Term Treatment Program emphasizes activities and educational exper Iences In the com mu nIty

Short-Term Treatment Programs Trends FY86
The Short-Term Treat.ent Programs served 90 youth In FY86, a 22~ decrease from the FY85 total of 116. Population pressures for detention purposes resulted In a lower utilization of these programs.

200

"U 180

Q)

> 160

~
Q)

140

(f) 120

~ 100

Q)
..c

80

E 60

:::J 40

Z 20

YOUTH SERVED BY SHORT TERM TREATMENT PROGRAMS

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986
Fiscal Year

20

PROJECT CHfiLLE rtCiE

In FY84 a new short-term treatment program, Project Challenge,' was developed under contract with Project Adventure, Inc. Project Challenge provides a six-week community-based experience for committed youth combining active and compel ling experiences, experiential

academics and Individual and group counseling. The use of a ropes course provides cooperative Interaction experiences as a tool for counseling and problem solving activities. Upon completion of the program, the participants are transferred to aftercare status.

Project Chall enge Trends FY86
The Project Challenge program served 50 youth In FY86, the same as In FY85.

21

I"VESTICifiTiO",S U"iT

The Investigations Unit has primary responsibility for locating and apprehending runaways from Youth Services' Institutions and commuunity programs. Working In cooperation with local and state law enforcement agencies, Youth Services agents and Investigators respond to requests for apprehension of runaways on a 24-hour basis. A computer terminal providing access to the Georgia Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center Is used to aid the unit In Its Investigations of runaways and In Its criminal background Investigations of potential Youth Serv Ices em pi 0( ees. The Un It also has some statewide responslbilities In the areas of security, specialized training and disaster coordination.

The Interstate Compact Unit Is under the supervisory structure of the Investigations Unit. The primary functions of the unit are to coordinate efforts with other states' Youth Agencies and law enforcement agencies and with local units In Georgia In returning Inter-state runaways and In coordinating the transfer of supervision of del Inquent and unruly youth who are relocated to a state other than the one In which they are adjudicated delinquent or unruly. These services are facilitated through a reciprocal legal agreement among the fifty states. Secur Ity serv Ices are provided at the Atlanta airport for runaway youth who are changing planes while returning to their home states.

Investigations Unit Trends FY86
A total of 908 referrals of runaways were handled In FY86 with a clearance rate of 97'. Interstate Compact served 833 youth.

22

COMMITMEHTS

Comm Itment of a youth to the Division Is often the final disposItion of the JuvenIle Court when probation or other counseling services have faIled to prevent a chronic or serIous offender from returnIng to the attention of the court.
When a youth is comm Itted to the DIvIsIon, a treatment plan Is developed which includes counsel lng, supervision and placement. Possible placements Include admissIon to a Youth ServIces community-based or Short-Term Treatment program, admissIon to a Youth Development Center, referral to an outside agency, or placement In the youth's own home.
During FY85, the DivIsion Implemented a new classification system for comm Itted youth. The purposes of the system are to provIde staff with Information to (a) assist In placement decisions, (b) assist In establishIng programming priorities once a placement Is made, and (c) establ Ish a method for security classification for Youth Development Center placement.
This profile provides an assessment In eight (8) areas:
Publ Ie RIsk - This scale Is an IndIcation of the extent to which the youth represents a threat to the public. Offense and escape history are considered, and the scale provides guidance In determinIng whether an institutional or community placement is appropriate. Youth rated at ~ ~ are those committed for offenses such as trespassing, theft (under $500), curfew violation, possession of

alcohol, runaway, and simple assault. Level Ixg offenses Include burglary, theft (over $500), auto theft, and escape. Level three offenses Include aggravated assault, child molestation, vehicular homicide, and robbery. Level ~ offenses Include aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, armed robbery, rape, and murder(Deslgnated Felony cases are level four). Level
1lYe Is used for superior court
commitments. Assigned levels can be Increased If there Is a history of escape, Infliction of bodily Injury, or habitual/multiple offenses. FY86 com mItment tota Is by Ieve I were as follows:

Superior Court

20

DesIgnated Felons 102

Level 5

19

Level 4

119

Level 3

386

Level 2

652

Level 1

1064

Status

107

Total

2469

ResIdentIal Support Needs - This scale provides an assessment of fam Ily needs and prob Iems, and provides guidance on the need for fam Ily counse II ng or out-of-home placement.

Mad lea I Needs - Th Is sca Ie prov'l des
an assessment of medical problems that could affect participation In programs.

Mental Health Needs - ThIs scale, often completed In consultation with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, provides an assessment of emotional problems and offers guidance for appropriate placement and services.

23

Alcohol and Drug Needs - This scale provides an assessment of substance abuse problems and provides guidance for appropriate services.
Educational Needs and Vocational Needs - These scales provide an assessment of academic functioning

and vocational training needs, with appropriate programming guidance.
Institutional Risk - This scale provides an assessment of conduct In conjunction with the Public Risk scale, provides the basis for security classification.

Commitment Trends
1. The number of commitments Increased by 7%, from 2,299 In FY85 to 2,469 In FY86.
2. The alternate plan rate (% of commitments resulting In nonInstitutional placement) decreased from 62% to 59%. The actual number of alternate placements Increased from 1413 to 1466 but the Increase In commitments resulted In a rate decrease.
3. Revocations Increased from the 277 In FY85 to 416 In FY86, an Increase of 50%.
4. Commitments for unruly (status) offenses totaled 107 In FY86, a 3% decrease from the FY85 total of 110. Only 3 status offenders were placed In YOC.
5. Commitments for designated felony acts (with restrictive custody) Increased from 96 In FY85 to 102 In FY86, a 6% Increase.
6. Males accounted for 83% of al I commitments. The Average age at the time of commitment was 14.9 for males and 14.8 for females. Whites accounted for 47% of all commitments; blacks accounted for 53%.
7. No father figure was present In 49.4% of the homes of commItted youth, and no mother fIgure was present In 4.4% of the homes.
8. The median school grade at time of commitment was the 8th grade.

24

3000
rJ
-c
E2500
uoCD 0::: 2000
~ c o 1500
rJ
-Ec 1000
-.-
EEo 500
u

COMMITMENTS TO YOUTH SERVICES AND PLACEMENTS FISCAL 1970-1986
......- Total CommItment. 2512
-+- Alternate Plan.
- t - Revocation.

711 1.3 701 741 3111 3311 3D 3311

1413 1411

ID SIll

1011 1.1,l1I1 1113 1071 1107

4311

43l1.,lI 50lI

411

1

0

51.7.1. j

-

217 --f

-

241 277 213 277........ - -f---f--~---t

~

-...j--

70 71 72 73 74 '75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
Fiscal Year

25

fiPPE"DiX
26

27

Youth .services Expenditures
Fiscal Year 1986

Secure Detention Programs 26.9%

.-
RYDC Short-Term Treatment
Programs
...7%

Non-Residential Programs 23.2%

Non-Secure .. Detention ., Programs
.3%

Il-::===---~:=====J.",. O3t.5h%er

..
Insti tu tional Treatment Programs 39.5%

, Community Based
Residential Treatment Programs
5.9%

$49 Million

28

Commitments By County

29

Fiscal Yea r 1986

---------------------------------------------------------------------

COUNTY

TOTAL # OF # OF U RULY

# OF ALTERNATE

COM lIT 1E TS COMMITME TS

PLACEME TS

---------------------------------------------------------------------

APPLI G

.

8

o

3

ATKI SON

.

o

o

o

BACON

.

1

o

o

BAKER

.

o

o

o

BALDWIN

.

4

o

1

BANKS

.

2

o

1

BARROW

.

14

3

11

BARTOW

.

22

o

11

BEN .HILL .

4

o

1

BERRIEN

.

6

o

2

BIBB

.

38

o

19

BLECKLEY .

2

o

1

BRANTLEY .

3

o

2

BROOKS

.

2

o

1

BRyAN

.

5

o

1

BULLOCH

.

29

1

22

BURKE

.

7

o

O'

BUTTS

.

8

o

7

CALHOUN

.

5

o

5

CAMDEN

.

2

o

o

CANDLER

.

1

o

1

CARROLL

.

15

1

12

CATOOSA

.

20

3

15

CHARLTON .

4

o

3

CHATHAM

.

147

2

75

CHATTAHOOCHEE

o

o

o

CHATTOOGA .

9

2

5

CHEROKEE

.

5

1

4

CLARKE

.

21

1

13

CLAy

.

o

o

o

CLAYTON

.

40

o

26

CLINCH

.

2

1

1

COBB

.

72

6

51

COFFEE

.

2

o

1

COLQUIT

.

12

o

3

COLUMBIA .

10

o

7

COOK

.

7

o

2

COWETA

.

26

o

16

CRAWFORD .

1

o

o

CRISP

.

6

o

o

DADE

.

2

o

2

DAWSON

.

o

o

o

DECATUR

.

28

3

22

DEKALB

.

229

6

136

DODGE

.

3

o

1

DOOLY

.

1

o

1

DOUGHERTY .

114

o

48

DOUGLAS

.

26

3

23

EARLY

.

7

o

6

ECHOLS

.

o

o

o

EFFI GHAM .

10

o

9

ELBERT

.

14

1

7

E IANUEL

.

2

o

o

---------------------------------------------------------------------

COU TY

TOTAL # OF # OF UNRULY

# OF ALTERNATE

COMMITIENTS COMMITMENTS

PLACEMENTS

---------------------------------------------------------------------

EVANS

.

2

1

1

FANNIN

.

7

o

5

FAYETTE

.

9

o

8

FLOYD. "

.

95

10

73

FORSYTH

.

8

o

5

FRANKLIN .

5

o

3

FULTON

.

207

2

100

GlUIER

.

2

o

2

GLASCOCK .

o

o

o

GLYNN

.

44

6

32

GORDON

.

20

1

11

GRADy

.

22

1

16

GREENE

.

1

o

o

GWINNETT .

68

4

44

HABBERSHAM .

1

o

o

HALL

.

17

o

11

HANCOCK

.

o

o

o

HARALSON .

4

1

4

HARRIS

.

5

o

2

HART

.

15

1

9

HEARD

"

o

o

o

HENRy

.

8

o

4

HOUSTON

.

29

1

11

IRWIN

.

4

o

1

JACKSON

.

9

2

5

JASPER

.

o

o

o

JEFF. DAVIS .

3

1

2

JEFFERSON .

10

o

6

JENKINS

.

1

o

1

JOHNSON

.

o

o

o

JONES

.

1

o

o

LAMAR

.

3

o

2

LANIER

.

8

o

5

LAURENS

.

3

1

3

LEE

.

o

o

o

LIBERTY

.

23

4

15

LINCOLN

.

o

o

o

LONG

.

4

1

3

LOWNDES

.

86

5

44

LUMPKIN

.

o

o

o

MACON

.

3

o

1

MADISON

.

13

1

9

MARION

.

o

o

o

MCDUFFIE .

3

o

1

MCINTOSH .

4

o

2

MERIWETHER .

3

o

3

MILLER

.

o

o

o

MITCHELL .. '"

44

1

23

MONROE

.

1

o

o

MONTGOMERY .

o

o

o

MORGAN

.

3

o

1

MURRAY

.

26

2

15

~lUSCOGEE

.

146

4

92

---------------------------------------------------------------------

30

---------------------------------------------------------------------

COU'TY

TOTAL # OF # OF U RULY

# OF ALTER ATE

CO ImTME TS CO frlIT IENTS

PLACE IE TS

---------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWTO

.

19

o

14

OCO EE

.

9

1

7

OGLETHORPE .

4

o

1

PAULDING .

9

1

5

PEACH

.

3

o

2

PICKENS

.

6

o

4

PIERCE

..

2

o

2

PIKE

.

1

o

o

POLK

.

8

1

6

PULASKI.

.

2

o

o

PUTNAM

.

1

o

o

QUITMAN

.

o

o

o

RABUN

.

1

o

1

RANDOLPH .

2

o

2

RICH fOND .

102

o

53

ROCKDALE .

18

o

8

SCHLEY

.

o

o

o

SCREVEN

.

14

o

10

SEMI OLE .

1

o

1

SPALDING .

35

3

30

STEPHE S .

3

o

2

STEWART

.

2

o

o

SUMTER

.

22

2

11

TALBOT

..

o

o

o

TALIAFERRO .

o

o

o

TATTNALL .

9

o

4

TAYLOR

.

2

o

1

TELFAIR

.

2

o

o

TERRELL

.

3

o

2

THO lAS

.

15

o

7

TIFT

.

18

1

9

TOOMBS

.

8

o

5

TOWNS

.

o

o

o

TREUTLEN .

4

o

1

TROUP

.

14

o

10

TUR ER

.

2

o

2

TWIGGS

.

1

o

1

UNIO

.

3

o

3

UPSO

.

7

o

4

WALKER

..

14

3

9

WALTON

.

35

5

24

WARE

.

13

o

7

WARREN

.

2

o

2

WASHINGTON .

10

o

6

WAYNE

.

7

o

5

WEBSTER

.

o

o

o

WHEELER

.

o

o

o

WHITE

.

1

o

1

WHITFIELD .

60

6

48

WILCOX

.

1

o

o

WILKES

.

1

o

o

WILKINSO .

o

o

o

\vORTH

.

5

o

3

TOTAL

2469

107

1466

31

IIrVf:llff\fUrlnrr\,
3 2108 05732 6277

DYS Programs

Ii

rct Director fireas

"* YDC RYDC D CTC Day Center A Group Home 0 District Director Office * Court Service Office

Georgia Department Of Human Resources Division Of Youth Services Management InformatIon Unit 878 Peachtree Street, N.E. - Suite 822 Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Printed By Milledgeville Youth Development Center