Annual report - Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Division of Youth Services, 1991

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Division of Youth Services
Annual Report
FY91

EIV
f,1A 2 'i' 2003

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Ledbetl~, e 'om..G.

~ "".OJComm'"'o",,, ' ; .. . . . .

---------------------i 878 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.lATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309

December 3, 1991
James G. Ledbetter, Ph.D., Commissioner Georgia Department of Human Resources 47 Trinity Avenue, S.W Room 522-H Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Dr. Ledbetter:
The following report of the program operations and accomplishments of the Division of Youth Services during Fiscal Year 1991 is being submitted in compliance with the Children and Youth Act of 1963.
During the past year, admissions to the Regional Youth Development Centers and commitments to the division have stabilized. There has also been a 14 percent decline in the number of admissions to the four Youth Development Centers.
The division has had several recent developments of which we are particularly proud. In May of this year, the division began the Baxley Wuderness Institute in conjunction with the Associated Marine Institute. This six month program is designed for repeat offenders and has strong educational and vocational components. The overall goal of this program is to build self-esteem in these youth.
The division is also involved in a cooperative venture with the Southeast Regional Office of the AACP in a mentoring project called Friend-to-Friend. The project will recruit 115 mentors to work closely with youth in the metropolitan Atlanta area during the next 18 months.
We are also in the process of implementing a new case management system within the divi-
sion. This system will assist in making placements that make the best use of the divisions
resources. Despite cutbacks that the division and the department experienced during the past fiscal
year, I am pleased that staff has continued to exhibit a high level of commitment in serving our youth.
Sincerely,
~JI,~
Marjorie H. Young, Director Division of Youth Services
MHY:jb

.
1

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Zell Miller
GoVERNOR
Department of Human Resources James G. Ledbetter, Ph.D.
COMMISSIONER
DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES Marjorie H. Young
DIRECTOR
BOARD OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Robert L. Carmichael
CHAIRMAN
Joseph ~ Morrison, Jr., M.D.
VICE CHAIRMAN
Connie Perry*
SECRETARY
Dewitt C. Alfred, Jr., M.D. H. Gordon Davis, M.D. James K. Davis* Thomas E. Farr James L. Fisher, M.D. Lasa Y. Joiner AI J. Mooney, ill, M.D.* Joseph H. Peek, Ph.D.* Solomon W Walker, II* Shirley Whitaker, Ed.D.*
*Members of the Youth Services Committee

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Inside

Role of me Division................................................................................................................ 1

Detention Programs............................................................................................................... 2

Regional Youth Development Centers

2

Map-RYDC Catchment Areas

3

Community Detention........................................................................................................ 4

Treatment Programs.............................................................................................................. 5

on-Residential Programs............................................................................................................. 5

Court Services.......................................................................................................... 5

Community Treatment Centers.............................................................................. 7

Day Centers

8

Residential Programs

9

Youth Development Centers

9

Group Homes..

11

Contract Homes

11

Wilderness Youth Development Program

12

SpecializeQ Residential Services

12

Short-Term Treatment Programs

14

Project Challenge

14

Investigations Unit................................................................................................................. 15

Commitments........................................................................................................................... 15

Commitments by County

: 17

Map-DYS Programs and Districts................................................................................... 19

Budget

20

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1.1..1

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Role of the Division

l 1e parent agency of the Division of Youth Services was created by law in the 1963 Session of the General Assembly (Act No. 55, H.B.
o 5). The purpose of the act was to provide for the "protection, care, training and supervision of certain children and youth of the state and to define powers, duties and functions of the Division, the Board and the officials thereof." The title of the act was the Children and Youth Act.
Organizationally, the operations of the division are carried out by four sections: Institutional Services, Field Services, Administrative Services, and Program Support and Staff Development. .:. Field Services is responsible for the management of community programs, residential and non-residential treatment programs, detention programs and the Investigations Unit. .:. Institutional Services is responsible for the management of the four State Youth Development Centers. .:. Administrative Services provides budgeting and personnel services, accounting activities, general support services and coordinates construction activity, property and leases. :. Program Support and Staff Development provides the management, administration and implementation of grants and resource development, standards and quality assurance, education, communication, policies and procedures, training, admissions, specialized services and staff development.

Number ofyouth served in fiscal years 1990 and 1991

D.Y.S. Programs
Detention programs
Regional Youth Development Centers
Community Detention Attention Homes In-Home Supervision

Number served

fiscal year

1990

1991

14,586 *(13,917)
965 309

14,574 *(13,939)
1045 544

1LreattnentPro~ Non-Residential Programs
Coun Services Intensive Supervision
Community Treatment Centers Day Cente~s
Re~dentialPrograms
Youth Development Centers
Group Homes Contract Homes Specialized
Residential Services Wilderness Youth
Development Program Shon-Term
Treatment Program Project Challenge

26,718 216
1,110 238
1,869 *(1,123)
83 768
228
107
65 76

27,597 489
1,260 230
1,658 * (991)
75 848
289
98
61 72

Investigations Unit

1,269

1,253

Interstate Compact

1,599

1,462

Unduplicated Estimate: * umber of admissions for the year.

34,708

45,000

This chart is based on the organizational S01lcture as indicated on the left.

1

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Detention Programs

r ;e Georgia Juvenile 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 child, (2) the child 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 and return him to court when required, or (4) an order for his detention or shelter care has been made by the court pursuant to this 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 non-secure detention services for juveniles.

Regional Youth Development Centers
Trends 1991
.:. Admitted 13 ,939 youth in FY91and 13,917 in FY90. (Represents a 0.2% increase.)
.:. Availability of secure and non-secure detention resources resulted in low utilization of adult jails for juvenile offenders.
.:. 110 youth were reported as held in adult jails statewide in FY91.
.:. 7,000 juveniles were jailed in Georgia as recently as the early 1960s.
The Regional Youth Development Centers provide secure detention services, while Attention Home and In-Home Supervision programs provide nonsecure detention services.

Youth admitted to Regional Youth Development Centers

Number

of youth 16000
14000
12000

II

I

13978

I1
.13939

-- 12923

1391/

11795~'"

11774 11203

.....

10818104991063 ~

10000 9416 980~6"..-...

-

~

8000

6000

4000 FYBO FY81 FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91

2

Regional Youth
Development Centers
Y ese centers provide temporary, secure care and supervision ofyouth who are charged with crimes or who have been found guilty of crimes and are awaiting disposition of their cases by a juvenile court. Youth committed to the Division of Youth Services are frequently held in secure detention while awaiting placement in one of the Division of Youth Services' treatment programs or facilities. 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.
The division operates 20 secure detention centers throughout Georgia and serves all counties in the state with the exception of Fulton County. Fulton County operates its own detention center and the division contracts with Fulton for services.
In addition to temporary secure detention, these centers provide remedial education, individual guidance and counseling, medical services, recreation, arts and crafts. Each center is required to have weekly religious services for any youth desiring them. Clothing, meals, medical and emergency dental are a part of each center's basic care program.

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RYDC Catchment Areas
3

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Community Detention

'"De Community Detention program provides a non-secure alternative to detention in a Regional Youth Development Center or jail. The program consists of two services: Attention Homes and In-Home Supervision.
The Attention Home bed spaces are located either with private families or in community facilities. They provide 24-hour emergency care for youth needing temporary placement until they can either return home or until a more suitable placement can be made. The division also operates a statewide 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 e1imi-

nation of the use of adult jails for juveniles.
During FY90, the division began operation of the In-home Supervision Program. Through the use of daily contacts, this program allows the youth to remain at home while awaiting court hearings on delinquent or unruly charges or while awaiting final disposition.
Community Detention TrendsFY91
.:. Attention Homes served 1,045 youths in FY91 and 965 in FY90. (Represents an 8% increase)
.:. In-Home Supervision Programs served 544 youths in FY91.

Director Marjorie }Dung makes an appealfor AttentioniContraa Home volunteers during a C(ll1tmunity
Resource Deve/ofmzent meeting in Columbus, Georgia.

Youth Served by Attention Homes
Nsumebrevr e::d_---------:-:--:J 140

4

Treatment Programs

Non-Residential Programs

Court Services
Tie Court Services Program is a statewide delinquency program, established in 1%3. This program provides intake, probation, counseling, case management, supervision, detention planning and aftercare supervision in most counties. In some areas, county staff provide intake and probation or share services.
Intake is the decision-making point at which a youth is either diverted from, or formally processed into, the juvenile justice system. For the first time or minor offender, emphasis is placed on resolving the youth's problems to avoid court intervention.
Probation services ensure that the youth complies with the requirements of the court.
Counseling/Case Management involves developing a plan that the Court Service Worker pursues to rehabilitate the youth and prevent further involvement with the court. The worker provides counseling, supervision and may network with other resources in the community for appropriate program referrals.
Detention planning involves working closely with the local juvenile courts to determine if the youth poses a threat to the community and is in need of secure supervision.
Aftercare services are provided for those youth returning

horne from other programs or institutions. These support services provide a smooth transition into the community. The Court Service Worker provides counseling, assists the youth in finding employment or networks with appropriate agencies.
In FY 89, a new Intensive Supervision program was initiated to reduce unnecessary out-of-home placements. The program opened in eight circuits in FY 89 and expanded to four additional circuits

in FY 90. Eight new programs opened in FY 91.
Court Services TrendsFY91
.:. Served 27,597 youth in FY91 and 26,718 in FY90. (Represents an 3% increase)
.:. Average daily caseload was 49.9 per worker.
.:. Intensive supervision served 489 youth.

J!'r Tifton i- Intensive Supervision Program hIlS adopted six ~iJes ofhigJ:war
litter control. Youth llSSigned wthis progrtrm are responsiblefor maintaining
this six-mile stretch. Pictured above is Carl Brown, CSU{ Sr.
5

Youth receiving Court Services

Number of youth

35000
32500

30000
27500
25000
22500
20000

26718 27597
23094 247~ 38 ~ ---
19538 1"'-'"
169S1/~

17500 -

14068 15357 1489914574 16003~

15000-: 13322 ........~"..,...~_....,F~r---ir--t--t--t--t--i

12500-+-...;....-+---+--+----+---+---+-~I__-+_-_+_-_+-__+-___t
FY80 FY81 FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91

Youth Served in Community Treatment Centers
Number
serve~dr\_.----------=J
13:1._----:=.1

6

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Community Treatment Centers
C ommunity Treatment Centers are relatively small, non-residential, community-based programs for delinquent and unruly offenders. Small caseloads pennit an intensive, structured treatment fonnat. 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 services to youth and integrate them successfully into the larger community.
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 skills areas. Special emphasis is placed on employability skills, stressing the behavior and skills 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 training at some Community Treatment Centers and through other local agencies or private resources.
Efforts to improve CTC services will result in the development of components to address client needs in the areas of parenting skills, substance abuse and vocational education. Staffing patterns at the CTCs are also being examined.
Center locations are: .:. DeKalb (2), .:. Fulton (2), .:. Bartow,

.:. Bibb, .:. Chatham, .:. Gayton, .:. Cobb, .:. Colquitt, .:. Coweta, .:. Dougherty .:. Floyd, (. Glynn, (. Gwinnett, (. Hall, .:. Houston, .:. Muscogee, .:. Richmond, .:. Spalding, .:. Upson, .:. Whitfield.

Community Treatment TrendsFY91
.:. Served 1,260 youth in FY91 as compared to 1,110 in FY90. (This represents a 14% increase.)

CTC staffand court services workers take a break after spending a day in training for the implementation ofa statewide curriculum for DYS Community Treatment Programs.
7

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Day Centers
D ay Centers are non-residential, comrnunitybased alternative schools for delinquent and unruly offenders. 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 skills necessary to successfully reenter the local public school setting. Life skills in law, health and career education are included in the curriculum. Group, individual and family counseling are focused on resolving the underlying causes of school-related problems (nonattendance, suspension, etc.) and/or law violative behavior. Recreational and cultural activities are established to promote physical fitness and appropriate leisure time pursuits.

Youth. served in Day Centers

Day Center TrendsFY91
.:. Served 23 0 youth in FY91 as compared to 238 youth served in FY90. (Represents a 3 percent decline)
.:. Centers are located in Chatham, DeKalb and Fulton Counties.

Achievement Day Center youth are busy designing their[ali but/etin board.

8

Residential Programs

Youth Development Centers

State Youth Development Centers are residential institutions providing rehabilitation and treatment for those youth committed to the Division of Youth Services byJuvenile or Superior Courts of Georgia. The centers provide academic, vocational, medical, counseling and religious services. Placements at the YDCs are for youth for whom no alternate plan is available or considered desirable. All four centers have school programs accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission.
Lorenzo Benn YDC
Lorenzo Benn YDCAtlanta, with a capacity of 106 (100 in regular cottages and 6 in orientation and diagnostic units), serves males who have been assessed as having low to medium public risk ratings and have high

residential support needs. Emphasis is placed on education, counseling and family involvement. The center offers a program for sexual offenders and opened a 20-bed cottage for alcohol and drug treatment this year. The Lorenzo Benn YDC is accredited by ACA.
AugustaYDC
Augusta YDC serves males who have been assessed as having medium to high public risk ratings; youth with high mental health needs; and youth who have significant prior histories or previous YDC placements. With a capacity of252 (240 in regular cottages and 12 in orientation and diagnostic units), the Augusta YDC offers a variety of programs including a new sexual offender program and a new PALS lab (Principles of Alphabet Literacy

Admissions to State Youth Development Centers

2000

1800

..... ...... ... ..- . 10_- 1600

r1-55-7;

1576
142?r-

1355

1400 1200

~ 1334 1222 1347

llIM ....... ~. 977

1058 1091
1-

110';

12,99 1128
'-.::....

991

1000 800

--- 115..: 99~ '1 856

918 ~945

994

1091
~

1012

r--
923

..... .... ... .... .. 600

!l9 400 2.'p 205
200

203 169 121 140 146 112 11 Sl 11 "

~,

~-..,

~

68

o

FY80 FY81 FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91

... female

. . . male

total

System) which is an IBM multisensory approach to teaching reading and writing.
MaconYDC
Macon YDC has a capacity of 100 resigents. The center serves both males and females (60 males and 40 females). The Macon center offers academic and vocational education courses in nurses aide training, cosmetology, building and home maintenance. The Macon YDC is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA).
Milledgeville YDC
Milledgeville YDC, with a capacity of252 males (240 in regular cottages and 12 in the orientation and diagnostic unit), serves those residents who have been assessed as having high public risk ratings; a history of aggressive behavior, escapes, high alcohol and drug usage or medical needs. Program goals include helping youth develop impulse control and appropriate decisionmaking skills. A program in Behavior Control teaches anger control and pre-social skills. The school also has a PALS lab. The center provides vocational training and a community work program. College courses are offered for those students who qualify. The Milledgeville YDC is the most secure of the state YDCs.

9

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Youth Development Centers
TrendsFY91

.:. Four YDCs admitted 991

youth in FY91 as com-

pared to 1,128 youth

admitted in FY90.

(Represents a 14% decline)

.:. Admissions by centers

were as follows:

Lorenzo Benn 202

Augusta

396

Macon (females) 68

Milledgeville

260

Macon A&D(males) 65

TOTAL

991

Mrs. Saundra Parks, a teacher at Milledgeville YDC, teaches a student assigned to the PALS Lab how to operate the inft-winduw.

Lorenzo Benn's family members and DYS staffparticipate in the unveiling ofthe sign fir the Lorenzo Benn Youth Development Center.
10-----------------------

Group Homes

Youth SelVed by Group Homes

'I1eGrouPHOme&~ gram is a placement for delinquent youth who come from unstable home situations. Youth from throughout the state are referred to one of three locations: Wmder, Gainesville, or Savannah. In these facilities, young men share a structured home environment.
Group counseling is an integral part of all group home programs even though each home has a unique program. Fort Yargo Boys' Group Home in Wmder is a joint DNRlDHR project. The home is located in the park, and the residents are hired for park maintenance services. Youth at the Savannah Group Home work at the
Regional Hospital operated by
the Division ofMental Health. The Gainesville Group Home initiated a work program in FY89 in cooperation with the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department.

40 FYIOn-I1FYUFYll FYI FYIS FYI6 FYI7 FYII FYI9 FY90 FY91

Contract Homes

C ontract homes, like 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 like home as possible through contracts with private f.unilies, institutions or community 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 commu-
nity activities.
Contract Homes TrendsFY91
-> Served 848 youth in FY91
as compared to 768 youth inFY90. (Represents a 10% increase)

Youth selVed by Contract Homes

Group Homes TrendsFY91

Number served 1000
900

.:. Served 75 youth in FY91 as compared to 83 youth in FY90. (Represents an 11 % decrease)
-:. Three homes have a total daily capacity of 24.

800

700

600

...n.

0

_

..

500
375

400 300

232

296

_324
...

..................................................".'"................................._.....................

200 FY80FY81 FY82FY83 FY84FY85 FY86FY87 FY88FY89 FY90FY91
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Wilderness
Youth Development
Program ......
me "Wilderness Youth " Development Program is .a sbort-term treatment program for--YOlith committed to the Division ofYouth Services. Purchased from the private sector, this program provides an alternative to placement in a Youth Development Center through a 26-day wilderness experience. Upon completion of the wilderness experience, youth return home or to another community placement on aftercare status.

Youth Served by Wilderness Youth Development Program
14 13
50 FY81FY82 FY83 FY84 FY8S FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89
Wtldemess Youth Development Program TrendsFY91
.:. Served 98 youth in FY91 as compared to the FY90 total of 107. (Represents a 9% decrease)

Specialized Residential Services

SPecialized Residential Services Trends FY91
.:. Obtained services for 289 youth in FY91 as compared to the FY90 total of 228.

T is program provides residential treatment services for delinquent and

unruly youth who need more spe-

cialized care than the Division of

Youth Service's or Department of

350

IfumanResources'programs

currently provide. These youth

either require long":term residen-

tial placement or specialized

treatment services. Services are

obtained from the private sector.

Many of the placements are in

alcohol and drug treatment pro-

grams. In FY 90, funds were pro-

vided to purchase specialized

treatment services for sex offenders.

Youth Served by Specialized Residential Services
FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87

FY91

12----------------------

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Projea Choues youth participate in an intuitive problem-solving exercise.
InstrUaor Brian Cooper ofBaxley Wilderness Institute gives diving instructions to a youth.
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Short-Tenn Treatment Programs

T e Short-Tenn Treatment Programs provide structured, residential treatment to committed youth
for a short time Oess than four
months) in small groups within the secure Regional Youth Development Center setting. Youth served are those not in need of long-tenn institutionalization but not presently appropriate for a less structured community-based program.
Programs are located in the Athens, Eastman and Blakely centers. They include academic experience and alcohol and drug counseling. Programs on employment opportunities are coordinated with the Department of Labor and a unit on family planning is coordinated with the local health departtnent. Students in each of the programs participate in an official first aid course, coordinated by the local chapter of the American Red Cross, as well as a citizen awareness program developed by the area volunteer coordinator. In addition, the Athens program offers an extensive wilderness experience including rafting, backpacking, rappelling and camping. The Eastman program also has an outdoor component.
Although housed in a secure facility, each Regional Youth Development Center's ShortTenn Treatment Program emphasizes activities and educational experiences in the community.

Short-Tenn Treannent Programs Trends FY91
.:. Served 61 youth in FY91, compared with 65 in FY 90.

Youth Served by Short-Term Treatment
Number served

200

190

180 170 160 150

., ,,173
162 ...~
II

140 130

.olI1Il
.I

,l'

120 -130 110 100 90 80 70 60

'"1l6~ ~
"~

100- -100

I
"59~

"~ 1'..65

'I

"1IIl...

61 -

50

FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91

Project Challenge

~oject Challenge, developed under contract with Project Adventure, Inc., provides a

Project Challenge TrendsFY91

six-week community-based experi-

ence for committed youth com-

Served 72 youth in FY91 as

bining active and compelling experiences, experiential academics and individual and group counseling.

compared to the 76 youth in FY90. (Represents a 6% decrease)

The use of a ropes course

provides coop-

P'!!l!l"_

erative interac-

tion experiences

as a tool for

counseling and

problem solving

activities. Upon

completion of

the program,

the participants

are transferred

to aftercare

status.

Youth at Project Challtmge enjoy a nature walk.

14--------------------

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Investigations Unit

'De Investigations Unit has primary responsibility for locating and apprehending runaways from Youth Services' institutions and community 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 ational Crime Information Center is used to aid the unit in its investigations of runaways and in its criminal background investigations of potential Youth Services employees. The Unit also has some statewide responsibilities 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 function of the unit is to coordinate efforts with other states' youth agencies and law enforcement agencies and with local units in Georgia in returning interstate runaways.
Investigations Unit TrendsFY91
.:. 1253 referrals of runaways were handled in FY91.
.:. Clearance rate of95%. .:. Interstate Compact served
1,462 youth.

The unit also coordinates the transfer of supervision of delinquent 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 50 states. Security services are provided at the Atlanta airport for runaway youth who are changing planes while returning to their home states.

Commitments

C onrrrrlltmentofayoUthto the division is often the final disposition of the Juvenile Court when probation or other alternative services have failed to prevent a chronic or serious offender from returning to the attention of the court.
When a youth is committed to the division, a treatment plan is developed which includes counseling, supervision and placement. Possible placements include admission to a Youth Services' community-based or shortterm treatment program, admission to a Youth Development Center, referral to an outside agency, or placement in the youth's own home.
The division maintains a classification system for committed 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) establish a method for security classification for Youth Development Center placement. This profile provides an assessment in eight areas:

Public 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 Level one are those committed for offenses such as trespassing, theft (under $500), curfew violation, possession of alcohol, runaway, and simple assault. Level two offenses include burglary, theft (over $500), auto theft, and escape. Level three offenses include aggravated assault, child molestation, vehicular homicide, and robbery. Level four offenses include aggravated sodomy,. aggravated child molestation, armed robbery, rape, and murder Designated Felony cases are level four. Level five is used for superior court commitments. Assigned levels can be increased if there is a history of escape or habitual/multiple offenses. FY91 commitment totals by level were as follows:

----------------------15

- IIJ)'m)~' - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Superior Court Designated Felons LevelS Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Levell Status Total

35 321 97 334 706 708 1029 155 3,385

Residential Support NeedsThis scale provides an assessment of family needs and problems, and provides guidance on the need for family counseling or out-of-home placement. Medical Needs-This scale provides 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. 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 YDCs and, in conjunction with the Public Risk scale, provides the basis for security classification.

Commitment Trends FY91
1. The number of commitments increased by only nine youth, from 3,376 in FY90 to 3,385 in FY91.
2. The alternate plan rate (percent of commitments placed outside DYS institutions) was 66%. The actual number of alternate placements increased from 2,107 in 1990 to 2,236 in 1991.
3. Revocations decreased from 442 in FY90 to 346 in FY91 , a
decrease of28%. 4. Commitments for unruly (status) offenses totaled 155 in FY91 a
4% increase from the FY90 total of 149. No status offender ';as placed in a YDc. 5. Commitments for designated felony acts (with restrictive custody) increased from 292 in FY90 to 321 in FY91, a 10% increase. 6. Males accounted for 87% of all commitments. The average age at the time of commitment was 15.6 for males and 15.2 for females. Whites accounted for 34% of all commitments; blacks accounted for 66%. 7. No father figure was present in 59% of the homes of committed youth and no mother figure was present in 5% of the homes. 8. The median school grade completed at the time of commitment was the 6th grade.

Commitments and Placements to Youth Services FY 1980 - FY 1991

umber served

4000

1

... ..... 3500

3376 3385

I

3~~ ~.

3000
2~+2':; 2500
2000

IZ570

2575

2576 2400 2233
~

2299 1413

2469

I

2107 2236

I

1770

~1642

_~

1466

l-.lIlI'

._, 15001_ 1091 1166 1113

1107

-

....... ".

1000
... 5001- 176
Ie . .-. o

217 246 277 283 277
.a .a

.-. 416 475 1--

553 480 440 346
lee

80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91

..... - Total commitments ..... Alternate plans - - Revocations

16--------------------

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Commitments by County
Fiscal Year 1991

County

Total

Total

Commitments

Unruly

Commitments

Appling Atkinson Bacon

12

1

2

a

7

a

Baker Baldwin Banks Barrow

4

0

6

a

6

a

12

a

Bartow Ben I-illl Berrien

23

4

9

a

4

a

Bibb

153

1

Bleckley Brantley

2

0

5

a

Brooks

12

1

Bryan Bulloch

10

3

34

a

Burke

13

0

Butts Calhoun Camden

3

0

I

a

9

a

Candler

3

0

Carroll

23

I

Catoosa Charlton

11

3

1

a

Chatham

276

1

Ch attahoochee

1

a

Chattooga

6

a

Cherokee

11

1

Clarke

54

1

Clay

2

0

Clayton

53

1

Clinch

1

0

Cobb Coffee

108

6

9

a

Colquitt

14

0

Columbia

4

0

Cook

8

0

Coweta

31

1

Crawford

3

0

Crisp

19

0

Dade Dawson

0

0

0

a

Decatur

44

3

Total Alternate
12
a
4 0 2 5 8 18 5 1 108 1 2 6 8 28 10 3 1 7 2 19 11 1 165 1 2 9 39
a
42 0 76 5 6
a
5 13 2 13
a a
28

County

Total

Total

Commitments

Unruly

Commitments

DeKalb

283

3

Dodge

3

0

Dooly

0

0

Dougherty

169

1

Douglas

23

0

Early

5

1

Echols

1

0

Effingham

25

5

Elbert

17

1

Emanuel

6

0

Evans

6

2

Fannin

3

0

Fayette

7

1

Floyd

61

4

Forsyth

3

1

Franklin

2

0

Fulton

242

4

Gilmer

3

0

Glascock

0

0

Glynn

38

0

Gordon

25

2

Grady

19

2

Greene

4

0

Gwinnett

129

17

Habersham

2

0

Hall

16

0

Hancock

2

0

Haralson

4

0

Harris

6

0

Hart

5

0

Heard

0

0

Henry

29

0

Houston

36

6

Irwin

0

0

Jackson

12

2

Jasper

1

0

Jeff. Davis

4

2

Jefferson

6

0

Jenkins

7

2

Johnson

2

0

Jones

0

0

Lamar

5

0

Lanier

4

1

Total Alternate
170 1 0 76 17 4 1 16 13 4 5 2 7 47 3 2
146 2 0 22 18 12 0
112 2 8 0 2 3 4 0 17 30 0 10 0 4 2 7 2 0 3 2
17

ill)1l

County

Total

Total

Commitments

Unruly

Commitments

Laurens

12

.0

Lee

2

0

Liberty

40

2

Lincoln

1

0

Long

4

2

Lowndes

59

6

Lumpkin

2

0

Macon

2

0

Madison

9

0

Marion

3

0

McDuffie

6

0

McIntosh

3

0

Meriwether

3

0

Miller

2

1

Mitchell

35

0

Monroe

7

0

Montgomery

2

0

Morgan

2

0

Murray

16

2

Muscogee

201

3

Newton

24

1

Oconee

2

0

Oglethorpe

3

0

Paulding

18

1

Peach

11

0

Pickens Pierce Pike

5

5

1

a

2

a

Polk

24

2

Pulaski

3

a

Putnam

2

a

Quitman

a

0

Rabun

2

0

Randolph

4

a

Richmond

164

1

Rockdale

15

a

Schley Screven

2

0

13

a

Total Alternate
Plans
11 1 23 1 4 49 1 2 9 2 3 2 2 1 23 5 1 0 14 131 21 2 2 15 8 5
a
1 14
2 1
a
1 1 81 11 1 11

County

Total

Total

Commitments

Unruly

Commitments

Seminole

1

0

Spalding

48

6

Stephens

7

0

Stewart

2

0

Sumter

19

1

Talbot

1

0

Taliaferro

0

0

Tattnall

11

2

Taylor

2

0

Telfair

6

0

Terrell

5

0

Thomas

24

1

Tift

27

3

Toombs

15

0

Towns

0

0

Treutlen

3

0

Troup

78

1

Turner

11

0

Twiggs

0

0

Union

1

0

Upson

7

0

Walker

20

8

Walton

28

5

Ware

47

1

Warren

0

0

Washington

9

2

Wayne Webster Wheeler White

7

1

a

a

1

a

1

a

Whitfield

61

13

Wilcox

1

a

Wilkes

7

a

Wilkinson

1

0

Worth

5

a

Total Alternate
Plans
1 30
6 1 15 1 0 9 0 5 3 13 22 10 0 2 51 7 0 0 5 18 25 31 0 6 5
a a
1 56
a
4 1 2

Total commitments equal Total unruly commitments Total alternate plans

3,385 155
2,236

18-----------------------

--------------IIJ)1l
DYS Programs and Districts
i:?YDC
eRYDC
o CTC
Day Center ... Group Home
o District Office
V Court Service Office
19

IIJ)'m) - - - - - - - - - - = - - - - - - - - - - - -

Youth Services Expenditures
Fiscal year 1991 $77.2 million

Non-residential 25.0%
Other 3.2%

Non-secure detention 0.8%

Secure detention 25.2%

RYDC short-term 0.3%

Community-based residential 10.6%

Institutional treatment 34.9%

Source: Division ofYouth Services

20----------------------

.
Division ofYouth Services 878 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Printed by Milledgeville Youth Development Center