Annual report, Department of Children and Youth Services, 1992

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Department of Children and Youth Services
Annual Report 1992
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DOCUME 5
UGA LIBRARIES

George Napper, Jr., Ph.D./Commissione.r
January 19, 1993

DEPARTMENT OF.CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES 878 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309-9844

The Honorable Zell Miller Governor, State of Georgia Capital Building Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Dear Governor Miller :
In .compliance with the Children and Youth Act of 1963 , the Department of Children and Youth Services is submitting to you its report regarding program operations and accomplishments during fiscal year 1992 .
This organization has successfully faced many challenges during this last year including the transformation of the previous Division of Youth Services into a fully organized department . As you are aware , the demands placed on the department are many and stem principally from the large numbers of youth having to be served and the inadequacy of services for children with special needs .
To meet these challenges , a new direction for the department was charted by our Board and new goals and objectives were established . Several of the goals need to be highlighted. They are:
to establish more residential (secure and non- secure) programs that are smaller and more humane and that offer specialized, individualized treatment
to establish a comprehensive aftercare component
to establish prevention and early intervention Programs for at risk children and youth
Over the previous fiscal year, commitments to the Department increased by four percent and Court Service caseloads increased by five percent . Despite cutbacks in our budget , departmental staff remain dedicated to our goals and committed to serving the youth of our state .

S~r:lJ~

George Napper, Jr. Commissioner
GN:jmv

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLO YER

ZeD Miller Governor Department of Children and Youth Services George Napper, Jr., Ph.D. Comm issioner
Board of Children and Youth Services
Sherman Day, Ph.D Ch ai rm an
Mayor Emma Gresham Vice Chair
Eleanor C. Main, Ph.D. Secret ary
Violet Bennett Susan W. Bisson Sheriff John Carey Bittick Vera E. Brooks Elizabeth Buttimer, Ph.D.
Carol R. King Sheriff Logan Marshall
Theresa Nelson D. Victor Reynolds
Carolyn Vason Judge Herbert Wells
ii

Inside
Role of the Department. ...... ....... .... .... .... .... ... ..... ........ ... ....... ....... ............ ...... ...... .. .... .... .... .. .. I Detention Programs. ... .... .... ............ .... .. .. .... ..... .. ......... .......... ..... ... .. ........... ....................... ..... 2
Regional Youth Detenti on Center ........................ ...... .. ...... ............ .... ................... .... .... . 2 Map-RYDC Catchment Areas ..... ........... :...... ....... ... .. ..... .. .... ............... ........ ...... ... ...... ..... 3 Community Detention ......... ... ....... ...... ............. ................ .... .... ........ ........ .......... ..... ...... ... 4 Treatment Programs..... ...... .. ....... ........ ............ ......................... ........ ... ........ ....... ...... ..... ....... . 5 Non -Residential Programs ..... ...... ..... ............ ................ .............. .... ........ .. ... ..... .. ... ......... ...... 5 Court Services. ..... ...... ......... ......................................... ......... ..... ..... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ............. ... .... 5 Community Treatment Centers ................... ........ .. .. ........ .. .. ... ...... ... ..... ..... :. ................. 7 Community Schools.. .... ........ ..... .... .... .... .... .... ............. ....... ... ... .. .. ........... .. .............. ...... .... 8 Residential Programs .... .... ................. .. .. .. .. .......... .. .. .. .. .... .. .......... .. ......... ...... .. ........ ...... .. ........ 9 Youth Development Campuses ...... .. .. .. .. ... ..... .... ........... .... ............. ....... ... .... .:...... .. .. ....... 9 Group Homes ... .. ... ... ........................... .. ... .... ...... .. ..... ...... ...... ........ .. ...... .. .. ... ...:........... ...... II Contract Homes ...... ... .. ...... ...... ...... ............................ .. ............. ..... .... .... ... .... .... ..... ...... .. .. . I I Wilderness Youth Development Program ... ........ .... .. .. ... .... ... .. .. .................... .. .......... .... 12 Specialized Residential Services .............. .............. ..... ....................... .. ...... ..... ......... .. .... 12 Short-Term Treatment Programs ............... ...... .... ........... ..... .. .. .... .. .. .. .............. .. .. .. .. .. .... 14 Project Challenge. .. .. .. .................. .. .... .... .. ... ..... .............. ........ ... ...... ..... .. ...... ........ ........ .... 14 Investigations Unit. ..... ........ .. .. .......... .... .. .. .. ....... ............... ..... ... ... .... ... .. ... .... ............ ...... .... ... .. I 5 Commitments.......... ..... .. ... ... ................. .... ..... ........... ...................... ..... .................................... I 5
Commitments by County............... .................. ... ...... .... ...... ....... .... ................ .... .... .... .... ....... .. I 7
Map-DCYS Programs and Districts. ........................... .. ...... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...... .. .. .... ... .. ....... .. ..... . 19 Budget ..................... .................. .. ..... ... .... ... ............. .... ........ ........ ........ .......... ... .......... ... .... ...... 20
iii

Role of the Departlltent

T he Department of Chi ldren and Youth Services was created by law in the 1992 Session o f the General Assembly (H .B. No. 1549). The purpose of the legislation was to create a sepa rate department to provide fo r the supervision, detention and rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents comm itted to the state's custody, to operate and provide assistance for prevention programs, to provide for treatment of juvenile offenders with specialized needs, and to defi ne powers, duties and functions of the Department, the Board and the officials thereof.
Organizationally, the operations of the Department are carried out by three divisions and three offices: Division of Detention Services, Division of Campus Operations, Division of Community Programs, Office of Administrative Services, Office of Program Development and Evaluation and the Office of the Deputy Commissioner.
Detention Services is responsible for the temporary secure ca re and supervision of youth cha rged with offenses or found gu ilty of offenses and awaiting court disposition or placement by the department.
Campus Operations is responsible for t he management of the four State Youth Development Campuses.
Community Programs is respon sible for the managment of community based services within the department's continuum of care which includes residential and non-residential treatment programs.
Administrative Services provides budgeting, personnel, and accounting activities, general support services, coordination of construction activity, property and leases and management of staff training.
Program Development and Evaluation develops conceptual designs and implementation st rategies for departmental programs and services and develops and implements systems for program eva luati on.

The Office of the Deputy Commissioner develops departmental policy, supervises the Investi gations Unit, coordinates planning and research functions and serves as liaison with the Boa rd , the legislature and other outside agencies .

Number of youth served in fiscal years 1991 and 1992

D.C.Y.S. Programs

Number Served

Fiscal Year

1991

1992

Detention Programs

Regional Youth

Detention Centers

14 ,574

*( 13,939)

Commu nity Detention

Attention Homes

I ,045

In-Home Supervision

544

Treatment Programs

Non-Residential Programs:

Court Services

27 ,597

Intensive Supervision

489

Community Treatment Centers 1,260

Community Schools

230

Residential Programs:

Youth Devel opment

Campuses

I ,658

* (99 1)

Group Homes

75

Contract Homes

848

Speciali zed

Res idential Services

289

Wilderness Youth

Development Program

98

Short-Term

Treatment Program

61

Project Challenge

72

Investigations Unit

Referrals

I ,253

Interstate Compact

1,462

15 ,34 1 *( 14,572)
I , 138 375
28 ,993 711
1,32 1 229
1,588 *(90 1)
79 978
298
97
89 74
1,408 1,306

Unduplicated Estimate:
Number of admissions for the year. Revised

35,459**

36,706

I

Detention Programs

Regional Youth Detention Centers Trends - 1992
Admitted 14,572 youth in FY92 and 13,939 in FY9 1. (Represents a 4.5% in crease.)
Avail ability of secure and non-secure detention resources resu lted in low utiliza ti on o f adult jail s for juve nile o ffenders.
I 13 youth were reported as held in adult jail s statewide in FY92 .
7,000 juveniles were ja iled in Georgia as recently as th e ea rl y 1960s.

T he Georgia juvenile Proceedings Code, as amended, provides for the taking into custody and detention of a child prior to a juvenile court hearing if (I) 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 Chil dren and Youth Services. through a cooperative effort with the local courts. has developed a statewide system of secure and non-secure detention services for juveniles.
The Regional Youth Detention Centers provide secure detention services. while Attention Home and In-Home Supervision programs provide non-secure detention services.

Regional Youth Detention Centers
T hese centers provide temporary, secure care and supervision of youth 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 DCYS are frequently held in secure detention while awaiting placement in one of the DCYS' 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 Campus placement.
The department 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 department contracts with Fulton for services.
In addition to temporary secure detention , these centers provide remedial education , individual guidance and counsel ing, 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 ca re program.

Youth admitted to Regional Youth Detention Centers
No. of youth

2

FV82FV83FV84 FV85FV86FV87FV88FV89 FV90FV91 FV92

RYDC Catchment Areas
"1:4 VDC
e RVDC
D CTC Community School A Group Home
0 District Office
'V Court Service Office
3

Community Detention Trends - FY91
Attentio n Ho mes served 1, 138 youth s in FY92 and 1,045 in FY9 1. (Represents a 9% increase)
In-H ome Supervi sio n Programs served 375 youths in FY92 .

Community Detention
T he Community Detention program provides a non-secure alternative to detention in a Regional Youth Detention Center or jail. The program consists of three services : Attention Homes, In-Home Supervision . and Electronic Monitoring.
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 department also oper-

ates 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 elimination of the use of adult jails for juveniles.
During FY89. the department 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. The department is currently piloting electronic monitoring in five counties.

Commissioner Napper speaks to the Rotar!J Club of Decatur about DCYS issues. Also seated at the dais are Senator MaY!J Margaret Oliver and Curtis Branscome. President of the Decatur Rotar!J Club.
Youth served by Attention Homes
No. served
4

Treatment Programs

Non..Residential Programs
Court Services
T he Court Services Program is a statewide program , established in 1963. 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 yo uth complies with the requirements of the court.
Counseling/Case Management involves developing a plan that the Court Service Worker pu rsues to rehabilitate the youth and prevent furth er involve-

ment 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
a closely with the local juvenile courts to
determine if the youth poses threat to the community and is in need of secure supervision.
Aftercare services are provided for those youth returning home 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 Trends - FY91
Served 28,993 youth in FY92 and 27,597 in FY91. (Represents a 5% increa se)
Average daily caseload was 52 .8 per worker.
Intensive supervision served 711 youth .

Youth receiving Court Services

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
5

Staff and students of t11e Positive Directions CTC.
Sludents from t11e Hampton Boys Home work on a nature trail built by t11em during a community service trip to Camp Fortson .
6

Community Treatment Centers
Community Treatment Centers are relatively sma ll . non-residential. community-based programs for delinquent and unruly offenders. Small caseloads permit an intensive. structured treatment format. Although staffed by DCYS 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 leisu re 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 empha-

sis is placed on employability skills. In

some areas. actua l work experience pro-

grams are a part of the Community Treat-

ment Center Program.

Parents are involved in family counsel-

ing or parent effectiveness train ing at

some Community Treatment Centers and

through other loca l agencies or private re-

sources.

Center locations are :

DeKalb (2)

Floyd

Fulton (2)

Glynn

Bartow

Gwinnett

Bibb

Hall

Chatham

Houston

Clayton

Muscogee

Cobb

Richmond

Colquitt

Upson

Coweta

Whitfield

Dougherty

Community Treatment Trends - FY9 1
Served I .3 2 I youth in FY92 as co mpared to I .260 in FY9 I. (This represents a 5% increa se.)

Youth served in Community Treatment Centers

No. served

1400_~--.---,----.---.---.---.---.---.---.--~1~3~ 21

::

1,26 ~

1200-=
-_
I ooo-=

r---1----+----+---~---4----+---~--~~~}
F-:,:0::3::.5.1!------1.1,9~98~~ 1,0.1..;.;I:~O~ OIS~I=,i0i4i3i.,i1.r,~-.--3.1k:::,=0::2;i 51<'' I~U

.

.

--

800--=

--
600--
--

400--=
-

200_
-
-
0-
T
FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92

7

Community School Trends - FY92
Served 229 youth in FY92 as compared to 230 youth served in FY91.
Schools are loca ted in Chatham. DeKalb and Fulton Counties .

Community Schools
Community Schools are non-residential . community-based 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 Community Schools 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 (non-attendance. suspension . etc.) and/or law violative behavior. Recreational and cultural activities are established to promote physical fitness and appropriate lei sure time pursuits.

Elizabeth Ladson , Unit Services Director, and students at the Achievement Center.

Youth served in Community Schools

300--
265

250---

,!=:;

251
~

200--

254

274
F=

266 )c:=:

239

~ 238

I==

227 k==

I=;

230 229
I~ I~

150--

100._
-
50-
-
0 :
FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY8 7 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92
8

Residential Programs

Youth Development

MaconYDC

I Campuses

Macon YDC has a capacity of 120 st u-

dents. The campus serves both males (80)

'

State Youth Development Campuses are residential institutions providing rehabilitation and treatment for t hose

and females (40) who have been assessed as having medium to high public risk levels. The Macon campus offers academic classes, GED preparation, parenting classes, and vocation-

Youth Development Campuses Trends - FY92

youth committed to the Department of Children and Youth Services by Juvenile or Superior Courts of Georgia . The campuses

al education courses in nurses aide training, cosmetology, and industria l arts. Alcohol and drug treatment is provided when needed

Four YDCs adm itted 90 I youth in FY92 as compared to 991 youth

provide academic, vocational , medical ,

for all students. The Macon YDC is accredit-

admitted in FY91.

co unseling and religious services. Place-

ed by t he American Correctional Association

(Represents a I0% de-

ments at the YDCs are for youth for whom no alternate plan is avai lable or considered desirable. Al l four campuses have school

(ACA) and the Georgia Medical Association 's Committee on Prison Healt h Care.

crea se ) Admi ss ions by campuses
were as foll ows:

programs accredited by the Georgia Accred- Milledgeville YDC

Lorenzo Benn

18 1

Augusta

3 15

iting Commission .

Mi lledgevi lle YDC, with a capacity of 252

Macon (fem ales) 53

Lorenzo Benn YDC Lorenzo Benn YDC- Atlanta , with a ca-
pacity of I06 (I 00 in regular cottages and 6 in orientation and diagnostic units) , serves males who have been assessed as having medium to high public risk ratings. Emphasis is placed on eduation and counseling. The campus offers a program for sex offenders and a 20-bed cottage for alcohol and drug treatment. The Lorenzo Benn YDC is accredited by the American Correctiona l Association (ACA) and the Georgia Medical Association 's Committee on Prison Health Care .

males (240 in regular cottages and 12 in the orientation and diagnostic unit), serves those students who have been assessed as having high public risk ratings ; a history of aggressive behavior or escapes, and/or youth with medical needs. Program goals include helping youth develop impu lse control and appropriate decision-making skills. A program in Behavior Control teaches anger control and prosocia l skills. The campus provides academic courses, GED preparation and vocational courses, including a print shop, auto repair, and barbering. College courses are offered for those students who qualify. The Milledgeville YDC is the most secure of the

Macon (males)

11 3

Milledgevill e

239

TOTAL

901

AugustaYDC

state YDCs.

Augusta YDC serves males who have

been assessed as having medium to high

Admissions to State Youth Development Campuses

public risk ratings; youth with high mental

No . sened

health needs ; and yo uth who have signifi-

-

Ma le

cant prior histories of delinquency or previous YDC placements . With a capacity of

-

Fem a le

252 (240 in regular cottages and 12 in ori-

-

Total

entation and diagnostic units), the Augus-

ta YDC offers a variety of programs includ-

ing a sex offender program. Vocational

courses include fast foods , brick masonry

and barbering. Academic classes, GED

preparation and remedial education class-

es are also offered

9

Teacf1er and students at the Macon YDC.

Youth served by Contract Homes

No. served

978

1000_ /
-

v 8~

-

800 -
-

-

c-- -

600- -

I f ' -

4

-
~ 400 t ' -

3' 5
3,~..~ ...

.....

-

7C 8

7 2 6~0 7 "~~

645_.

55 ~

...ifiil6lll
-r

200 -
-

-

0 -/

/

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

FY82FY83FY84FY85 FY86 FY87FY88 FY89 FY90FY91FY92

10

Group Homes
T he Group Home Program is a placement for delinquent youth who come from unstable home situation s. Youth from throughout the state are referred to one of three locations: Winder. Gainesville , or Savannah . In these facilities. you ng men share a structured home environment.
Group counseling is an integral part of all group home programs even th ough each hom e has a unique program The

Phillip Grace Group Home (formerly Fort Vargo Boys ' Gro up Home) in Winder is a joint DNR/DCYS project. The home is located in the park. and the resi dents are hired for park mai ntenance services. Youth at the Savannah Group Home work at the Regional Hospital operated by the Divi sion o f Mental Health , DHR. The Gainesville Group Home initiated a work program in FY89 in cooperation with the Gainesville Parks and Recreati on Department to maintain county parks.

Youth served by Gr oup Homes

Contract Homes

No. served

Contract homes. like group homes. provide

residential treatment

for delinquent and

unru ly youth whose

home situation is

contributing to their

behavior. Services are

provided in an atmos-

phere as much like

FY82 FY8 3 FY8 4 FY85 FY86 FY8 7 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92

home as possi ble

through contracts __j L__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _

Re-dedication ceremonies. front row from left . Ha!dse. Linda and Phillip Grace; and back row. from left. Fort Yargo State Park Superintendent Edwil Holcomb , Winder Ma!dor Budd!d Outz. and Commissioner George Napper flanked V!d residents of tfle group flame .

with private families . institution s or community facilities . The department has developed and expanded thi s program d ue to its cost effectiveness and statewide avai labi lity. The Con tract Home Program makes maximum use of community resou rces as youth attend schools and participate in comm un ity activities.

Group Homes Trends - FY92 Served 79 youth in FY92
as compa red to 75 youth in FY9 1. {Represents a 5.3% increase) Three homes have a total daily capacity of 24.
Contract Homes Trends - FY92 Served 978 youth in FY92
as compared to 848 youth in FY9 1. {Represents a 15.3% i ncrease)
11

Wilderness Youth Development Program Trends - FV92 Served 97 youth in FY92
as compared to the FY91 total of98.
Specialized Residential Services Trends - FV92 Obtained services for
298 youth in FY92 as compared to the FY9 1 total of 289. (Represents a 3. 1% increase)

Wilderness Youth Development Program
The Wilderness Youth Development Program is a short-term treatment program for youth committed to the Department of Children and Youth Services. Purchased from the private sector, this program provides an alternative to placement in a Youth Development Campus through a 26--clay wilderness experience. Upon completion of the wilderness experience, youth return home or to another community placement on aftercare status.
Baxley Wilderness Institute The Baxley Wi lderness Institute is a
non-profit rehabilitation and education facil ity for adolescent boys operated by Associated Marine Institute. Inc. The program serves 40 youth in a wilderness/marine related. educational and vocational environment. Twenty youth are on-site and twenty are in aftercare.
The goals of t he program are to reduce or eli minate recidivism among participants.

to increase each youth 's academic skills and to develop each youth 's vocational skills and work ethic. The average length of stay in the program is six months on-site and six months on aftercare.
The population served by Baxley is generally comprised of repeat felony offenders--youth who would typically be placed on a Youth Development Campus.
Specialized Residential Services
T his program provides residentia l treatment services for delinquent and unruly youth who need more specialized care than the Department of Children and Youth Services' programs currently provide. These youth either require long-term residential placement or specia lized treatment services. Services are obtained from the private sector. Many of the placements are in alcohol and drug treatment programs. In FY 90, fun ds were provided to purchase specialized treatm ent services for sex offe nders.

Youth served by Wilderness Youth Development Programs

No. served

f1 .I --,~-r-~, ~ I ..~_~~-~~~

.. ..; I

I

I I I

I I I

I
j
I

i i
I

I I

I

I I
I

I I
I

I I
I

.. I I I I

II J

J J J II .

-

J -

---

FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY8 6 FY8 7 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92

12

Youtfl at Wo lfcreek Wildern ess Camp.

Marine Institute youtfl participate in canoeing.

Youth served by Specialized Residential Services

No. served
300

289 298
r-

250~
200-

~

, ~1 150'--
100~ 43
50-

88
6 1 "====

0

155
~ ~"----

144
=

~6

FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92

13

Short-Term Treatment Programs - Trends FY92
Served 89 youth in FY92 , compared with 61 in FY 91.
Project Challenge Trends FY92
Served 74 yo uth in FY9 2. as co mpared to t he 72 yo uth in FY91 . (Represents a 3% increase)

ShortTerm Treatment Programs
T he Short-Term Treatment Programs provide structured, residential treatment to committed youth for a short time (less than four months) in small groups within the secure Regional Youth Detention Center setting. Youth served are those not in need of long-term institutionalization but not presently appropriate for a less structured community-based program .
Programs are located in the Athens and Blakely centers. They include academic experience and alcohol and drug counseling. Programs on employment opportunities are coordinated with the Depart-

ment of Labor and a unit on family planning is coordinated with the loca l health department. 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.
Although housed in a secure facility, each Regional Youth Detention Center's Short-Term Treatment Program emphasizes activities and educational experiences in the community.

Youth served by Short-Term Treatment Programs

No. served

173

180 160

r \.\{ 112 .....II(\

140 IIY"

,~116

120

~

100 100

100 80,_: 60
40 -

~ r~'\

~

"" v ~ ~ ~

' ~

65r!':'

20 -

0 FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92

Project Challenge
Project Challenge, developed under contract with Project Adventure, Inc., provides a six-week community-based experience for committed youth combining active and compelling experiences , experiential academics and individual and group counse ling.
The use of a ropes course provides cooperative interaction experiences as a tool for counseling and problem solving activities. Upon com pletion of the program , the participants are transferred to aftercare status .

Students from Project Challengecompletea ropes coursecalled the"Dangling Duo."
14

Investigations Unit

T he Investigations Unit has primary responsibility for the location and apprehension of runaways , escapees and those youth in departmental custody who violate their conditions of supervision. Referrals are recevied to the Unit from any departmental institution, community-based program or aftercare. Working in cooperation with local and state law enforcement agencies. Investigators respond to requests for assistance on a twenty-four (24) hour basis. A computer terminal access to Georgia Crime Information Center and National Crime Information Center is used to aid the Unit in its investigation of deparmental youth and in conducting criminal background investigations of potential DCYS employees , interns, attention and contract home parents and volunteers . The Unit also has statewide responsibility in the areas of

security audits of facilities and programs, specialized training, disaster coordination , and internal investigations.
The Interstate Compact Unit is under the supervisory structure of the Investigations Unit. The primary function of this Unit is to coordinate efforts with other states' youth agencies and law enforcement agencies and with local units in Georgia in returning interstate runaways and parole absconders. Interstate Compact 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 fifty (50) states and U.S. territories . Security services are also provided at the Atlanta Airport for runaway youth who are changing planes while returning to their home state.

Investigations Unit Trends - FY9 1
I .408 referra Is o f ru naways we re handled in FY92.
Clearance rate of 95%. Interstate Co mpact
served 1,306 yo uth .

Commitments

Commitment of a youth to the department 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 department, a treatment plan is developed which includes counseling, supervision and placement. Possible placements include admission to a DCYS communitybased or short-term treatment program , admission to a Youth Development Campus, referral to an outside agency, or placement in the youth 's own home.
The department 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 Campus placement. This profile provides an assessment in eight areas:
Public Risk-This sca le 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

15

Commitment Trends FY92
I. The number of comm itments increased by on ly 4%. from 3.385 in FY91 to 3,509 in FY92.
2. The alternate plan rate (percent of commitments placed outside DCYS institutions) was 72 .6%. The actual number of alternate placements increased from 2,236 in 1991 to 2,549 in 1992.
3. Revocati ons in FY92 were the same (346) as FY91.
4. Commitments fo r unruly (status) offenses tota led 117 in FY92 , a 25% decrease from the FY91 total o f 155. No statu s offender was placed in a YDC.
5. Commitments for designated felon y acts (with restrictive custody) increased from 32 lin FY91 to 353 in FY92 , a I 0% increase.
6. Males accou nted for 88% of all commitments. The average age at the time o f commitment was 15.5 for males and 15.1 fo r females. Whites accounted for 31% of all commitments ; blacks accounted for 69%.
7. No father figure was present in 67% of the homes of comm itted youth and no mother figure was present in 5% ofthe homes.
8. The med ian school grade completed at the time of commitment was the 6th grade.

$500). auto theft, and escape. Level three

offenses include aggravated assault, child

molestation . vehicular homicide, and rob-

bery. Level four offen ses include aggravat-

ed sodomy, aggravated child molestation ,

armed robbery, rape, and murder. Desig-

nated Felony cases are level four. Level

five is used for Superior Court commit-

ments. Assigned levels can be increased if

there is a history of escape or habitual/

multiple offenses. FY92 comm itment to-

tals by level were as follows :

Superior Court

40

Designated Felons

353

Level 5

103

Level 4

385

Level 3

725

Level 2

716

Level I

I ,076

Status

117

Total

3,509

Residential Support Needs- This scale

provides an assessment of family needs

and problem s, and provides guidance on

the need for family counseling or out-ofhome placement. Medical Needs- This sca le provides an assessment of medical problems that could affect participation in programs. Mental Health Needs- This sca le, 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 sca le provides an assessment of substance abuse problems and provides guidance for appropriate services. Educational Needs and Vocational Needs- These sca les provide an assessment of academic fun ctioning and vocational training needs, with appropriate programming guidance. Institutional Risk- This sca le provides an assessment of cond uct in YDCs and , in conjunction with the Public Risk sca le, provides the basis for security classification.

Commitments and Placements to DCYS FY 1982- 1992

4000,_ /

'I JR'i 3 , 09

3500,_

3,3 ~

-:ili/7

3000,_
c -- / r 2500,_
.. - 2000,_

3,)( 9.-

2, 76

2,5 9

...... ~7

u:,q 2 ~67 2 697

~J ~.~ .
2,1 7...-.:::::;;;.

"' f'V 2, ~ 3

2, 99 ,, I

~ I,
66 I , 58 1,642

1500,_
1, 1
- 1 1000

1, )78 I , 07
/

/. 4 6 4 5 5 3 4~0

40

....

500- 24 y .2.7-7<!l"l10l_~, t;I~Is>:~ ~' ;-~~~~~8!~~~ . li~!l~;~

0 v

/

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92

~lt@i! l Revocations

-

Alternate Plans

~Total

16

Commitments by COunty
Fiscal Year 1992

County Total No.

Unruly Alternate

Commitments Commitments Placements

County Total No.

Unruly Alternate

Commitments Commitments Placements

Appling

7

0

7

Dougherty 2 13

3

152

Atkinson

0

0

0

Douglas

11

0

II

Bacon

0

0

0

Early

8

0

7

Baker

0

Echols

0

0

0

Baldwin

10

0

Effingham

15

2

10

Banks

I

0

Elbert

21

0

15

Barrow

14

13

Emanuel

5

0

4

Bartow

23

I

19

Evans

12

I

10

Ben Hill

7

0

3

Fannin

0

0

0

Berrien

I

0

0

Fayette

13

2

13

Bibb

142

0

103

Floyd

43

5

36

Bleckley

I

0

I

Forsyth

4

0

4

Brantley

0

0

Franklin

2

0

I

Brooks

7

0

6

Fulton

273

6

169

Bryan

9

2

8

Gilmer

I

0

I

Bulloch

35

2

29

Glascock

0

0

0

Burke

20

0

6

Glynn

52

0

31

Butts

0

0

Gordon

25

0

18

Calhoun

I

0

Grady

12

0

11

Camden

6

0

4

Greene

4

0

0

Candler

5

0

4

Gwinnett

147

14

127

Carroll

27

0

19

Habersham 3

0

3

Catoosa

22

2

22

Hall

21

0

14

Charlton

4

0

Hancock

4

0

I

Chatham

266

3

165

Haralson

2

0

2

Chattahoochee 2

0

2

Harris

7

0

6

Chattooga

5

0

4

Hart

6

0

4

Cherokee

9

0

7

Heard

0

I

Clarke

51

2

28

Henry

22

0

11

Clay

0

0

0

Houston

70

11

62

Clayton

76

0

59

Irwin

0

I

Clinch

0

0

0

Jackson

15

I

14

Cobb

113

8

99

Jasper

5

0

4

Coffee

13

0

10

Jeff Davis

9

7

Colquitt

13

0

5

Jefferson

6

0

4

Columbia

8

0

Jenkins

4

0

3

Cook

5

0

4

Johnson

I

0

I

Coweta

28

I

17

Jones

0

0

0

Crawford

2

0

2

Lamar

7

0

5

Crisp

19

0

12

Lanier

2

0

Dade

3

0

2

Laurens

16

0

15

Dawson

0

0

0

Lee

3

0

I

Decatur

21

0

15

Liberty

23

0

13

DeKalb

267

3

186

Lincoln

I

0

I

Dodge

2

0

2

Long

3

0

3

Dooly

0

Lowndes

88

8

79

17

County Total No.

Unruly Alternate

Commitments Commitments Placements

Lumpkin

0

Macon

4

Madison

5

Marion

4

McDuffie

12

Mcintosh

2

Meriwether 10

Miller

0

Mitchell

13

Monroe

5

Montgomery I

Morgan

7

Murray

15

Muscogee 187

Newton

20

Oconee

14

Oglethorpe 5

Paulding

12

Peach

7

Pickens

2

Pierce

2

Pike

0

Polk

15

Pulaski

I

Putnam

3

Quitman

0

Rabun

Randolph

4

Richmond 198

Rockdale

II

Schley

2

Screven

15

Seminole

7

Spalding

74

Stephens

3

0

0

0

3

0

4

0

3

0

II

0

2

0

10

0

0

0

7

0

2

0

0

0

I

II

2

145

16

3

14

0

5

0

II

0

5

2

2

0

2

0

0

3

12

0

I

0

0

0

0

0

I

0

4

I

122

0

7

0

2

0

14

0

7

2

54

0

2

County Total No.

Unruly Alternate

Commitments Commitments Placements

Stewart

4

Sumter

18

Talbot

I

Taliaferro

0

Tattnall

13

Taylor

Telfair

7

Terrell

5

Thomas

28

Tift

40

Toombs

16

Towns

Treutlen

Troup

53

"Turner

4

Twiggs

I

Union

I

Upson

19

Walker

19

Walton

33

Ware

45

Warren

I

Washington 8

Wayne

5

Webster

0

Wheeler

I

White

0

Whitfield

74

Wilcox

5

Wilkes

3

Wilkinson

3

Worth

8

0

4

0

12

0

I

0

0

4

II

0

0

5

0

3

23

2

34

0

13

0

0

0

0

0

35

0

I

0

0

0

.I

0

13

2

15

2

30

I

36

0

I

0

6

0

4

0

0

0

I

0

0

II

61

0

2

0

3

0

2

0

5

State Total

3,509

117 2,549

18

Programs & Districts
"'(:{ VDC
e RVDC
0 CTC Community School .6. Group Home
0 District Office \1 Court Service Office
19

Expenditures - FY 1992

$73.3 million

Non ... Residential

RYDC

Short...Term

0.4%
~

Secure
Detention - 26%
/

Other

Detention - I%

CB*

8.3%

f

Institutional

Treatment - 35.2%

* CB is community~based

20

r.

Department of Children & Youth Services
878 Peachtree Street, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia JOJ09