George Napper, Jr., DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES 2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3139 404-657-241 0 FAX: 404-657-2479 March 1. 1994 The Honorable Zell Miller Governor, State of Georgia Capitol Building Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Dear Governor Miller: In compliance with Georgia Law, the Department of Children and Youth Services is submitting to you its report regarding program operations and accomplishments during fiscal year 1993. You are keenly aware of the challenges associated with managing the growing population of youthful offenders and the difficulties present in addressing their specialized needs. You have spoken eloquently and frequently about the need to revamp the juvenile justice system in order that public safety is maintained and that juvenile offenders are shown the consequences of their behavior while afforded the opportunity to change. The DCYS has made exceptional steps in putting such a system in place. Those activities are highlighted in the attached DCYS FY '93 Annual Report. However, despite our achievements, there were several issues which continued to obstruct significant reform of our juvenile justice system. Among those issues were: the constant and chronic overcrowding in our facilities; for instance, during FY '93, our detention system, designed to detain 650 youth, had an average daily population of 82 1; the lack of adequate specialized treatment programs for the serious offender such as those with alcohol/drug problems and those involved in sexual offenses; and the general increases in the number of youth committed to the DCYS. Our staff sought and found innovative ways to meet those challenges through increased collaboration with public and private agencies. And as always, they remain dedicated to the goals and objectives of our department and committed to serving the youth of our state. Sincerely, George Napper, Jr. Commissioner AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Zell Miller Governor Department of Children and Youth Services George Napper, Jr., Ph.D. Commissioner Board of Children and Youth Services Sherman Day, Ed.D Chairman Mayor Emma Gresham Vice Chair Eleanor C. Main, Ph.D. Secretary Judge Violet Bennett Susan W. Bisson SheriffJohn Cary Bittick Vera E. Brooks Susan Dunwody CarolJ. King James J. Locklin Sheriff Logan Marshall Theresa Nelson D. Victor Reynolds Carolyn Vason Role of the Department ................................................................................................................. 1 FY '93 Accomplishments ................................................................................................................2 GeorgiaJuvenileJustice Process ...................................................................................................3 Detention Programs ........................................................................................................................5 Secure Detention: Regional Youth Detention Centers ................................................................6... Map-RYDC Catchment Areas ....................................................................................................7.... Nan-Secure Detention: Community Detention .........................................................................8. Community Programs .....................................................................................................................9 Court Services ..........................................................................................................................1..0... Map-Juvenile Intake and Probation Services .............................................................................1.1. Community Treatment Centers .................................................................................................1..3.. Community Schools ..................................................................................................................1..4.. Intensive Supervision Programs ................................................................................................1..4. Multi-Service Centers ..............................................................................................................1..4... Residential Programs ....................................................................................................................15 Secure Residential: Youth Development Campuses .............................................................................................1..6.. Non-Secure Residential: Group Homes .......................................................................................................................1..8... Contract Homes ....................................................................................................................1..8.. Wilderness Youth Development Program ..............................................................................1..8. Specialized Residential Services ...........................................................................................2..0.. Short-Term Treatment Programs ...........................................................................................2..0.. Investigations.................................................................................................................................. 22 Education and Vocation Programs ..............................................................................................22 Commitments .............................................................................................................................23 Commitments by County ............................................................................................................2. 5 Appendix .......................................................................................................................................2.. 9 Cost Per Child Care Day Map-Programs and Districts Profile of Budget for FY '93 Definition of Terms DCYS Board Member Profile 'DCYS DCYS Mission The mission of the Department of Children and Youth Services is to protect the public by providing an effective continuum of services including prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare to youth who are at risk or have been referred to the courts for delinquent or unruly behavior, or who have been committed to the custody of the Department. Services will be provided in the least restrictive environment possible in accordance with the needs of individual youth and the protection of the public, and insofar as possible, be community-based, family-focused, and coordinated with other public and private providers. George Nappel;37: Commissionn- DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES I Legal Services Advisor ] COMMlSSlONER -Confidential Secretary Deputy Commissioner Executive Assistant Office of Administrative Services Office of Program Development And Evaluation Division of Campus Operations Division of Community Programs Division of Detention Services Hole or me aepanmenr T he Department of Children arid Youth Services was created by law in the 1992 Session of the General Assetnbly (H.B. Ic'o. 1549). T h e purpose of the legislation was to create a separate department to provide for the supervision, detention and rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents cotnmitted 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 define 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 care and supenrision of youth charged with offenses or found guilty of offenses and awaiting court disposition or placement by the department. Campus Operations is responsible fix the nlanagerllent of the four State Youth Developmeilt Carixpuses. Community Programs is responsible for the management of comruunity-based services within the department's continuum of care which includes residential and nonresidential treatment programs. Administrative Services provides budgeting, personnel, accounti~lgactivities, general support services, coordination of construction activity, property and leases and tnanagement of staff training. Program Development and Evaluation develops conceptual designs and impletrlentation strategies for departnlental programs and services; develops and implerne~lts systems for program evaluation. T h e Office of the Deputy Commissioner develops departtllental policy, supervises the Investigations Unit, coordinates planning and research filnctions and managetllent inforn~ationand sen-es as liaison with the Boarcl, the legislatlire and other outside agencies. Number of youth served in fiscal years 1992 and 1993 D.C.Y.S. Programs Detention Programs Regional Youth Detention Centers Cotnmunity Detention Attention I-Iomes I n - H o ~ t ~Seupervision Community Programs Court Services Intensive Supervision Community Treatment Centers Community Schools Residential Programs: Youth Development Calnpuses Croup Homes Contract Honles Specialized Residential Services 14'ilderness Youth Developtllent Programs Short-Term 'Treatment Programs Project Challenge Investigations Unit Referrals Interstate (:ompact Unduplicated Estimate: Number Served Fiscal Year 1992 1993 15,341 "(14,572) 1,138 375 16,53 1 "(15,762) 1,088 5 50 28,993 711 1,321 229 30,630 762 1,486 232 1,588 *(YO1) 7 9 078 298 9 7 8 9 7 4 (1,687) *(996) 96 1,052 104 106 59 7 4 1,408 1,306 36,706 1,592 1,372 39,038 * Number of admissions for the !,ear. This chart is t~asedon the orga~lizationalstructure as indicated on the left. FY '93 Accomplishments Established procedures to earn Medicaid funds. Established Strike Force at Augusta YDC and a Task Force at the Lorenzo Benn YDC to identify problems and work out solutions on each calnpus. Several initiatives have already resulted from these activities. At the Augusta and Lorenzo Benn YDCs, transitioned to a cottage-based system of accountability that places the well-being of the students as the highest priority. Implemented the Transitional Aftercare Groups in DeKalb, Fulton and Chatham Counties. TAG will offer structured intensive aftercare supervision for youth released from YDCs. Vt'hitehead Foundation support was obtained to start up programs. Implemented new assessment/classification and case Inanagetnent systems. Began consolidating conl~nunityservices programs into Multi-Sen~iceCenters in DeKalb, Fulton and Chatham Counties. Implernented Detention Center Overcrowding Task Force that suggested short- and long-term reconl~nendationsto address chronic overcrowding in the RYDCs. Worked with Annie Casey Foundation and others on the issue of detention overcrowding. Began the design phase for Marietta and Savannah RYDCs and the design phase for the Fulton County RYDC. Organized DCYS \Tocational Education Task Force to study and assess the vocational education needs and goals as they relate to employment marketplace trends. In conjunction with the Departrnent of Technical Adult Education, began pilot program at the Macon YDC. This program will provide state of the art vocational education preparation that begins on the secondary level and continues to the post-secondary level. Organized DCYS Staff Development and Training Review Committee to propose recommendations for curriculum review and developlnent. Received a grant from tlie Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to establish a residential alcohol and drug treatment program for youth at the ,.\ugusta and Milledgeville YDCs. V Implemented a conlprehensive residential treatnierit program for addicted mothers and their children. V Established four neu- delinquency prevention projects through contracts with commu- nity-based service providers. V Completed short-term planning process which resulted in the identification of 10 major focus areas. V Organized an Institutional Research Review Board which provides oversight to research projects conducted within the DCYS. V Worked with tlie ATationalCouncil on Crime and Delinquency on preparing a placement grid for DCYS youth, including calculation of bed space needs for different levels of youth based on public risk. V Tllkrked with Department of Human Resources, Mental Health/Mental Retardation/ Substance Abuse on identieing ways to provide better nlental health services to DCYS youth. V Conducted in-depth security audits of the ,.\ugusta and Lorenzo Benn Youth Develop- ment Campuses. Detention Programs DeKalb RYDC Detention programs Average Daily Population FY 83 - FY93 FY Year 8 3 84 85 86 8 7 88 8 9 90 9 1 92 9 3 Percent of Capacity 72.8% 70.9% 72.8% 80.4% 75.5% 8 1.9% 99.5% 112.7% 113.3% 119.9% 122.5% 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. T h e Georgia Department of Children 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. T h e Regional Youth Detention Centers provide secure detention services, while Attention Home, In-Home Supervision programs and electronic ~nonitoringprovide non-secure detention services. Secure Detention: Regional Youth Detention Centers These 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. Additionally, youth committed to the DCYS are frequently held in secure detention while awaiting placernent in one of the DCYS' treatment programs or facilities. Some of the regional centers operate short-term, structured, residential treatment programs for committed youth as an alternative to a State Youth Development Campus placement. T h e 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 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. Youth admitted to Regional Youth Detention Centers No of youth FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87FY88FY89FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 L RYDC Catchment Areas Trends + There was a 47% increase in the number of youth served through In Home Supervision from FY '92 to FY '93. Non-Secure Detention: Community Detention T he Community Detention Program provides a non-secure alternative to detention in a Regional Youth Detention Center or jail. T h e program consists of three services: Attention Homes, In-Home Supervision, and Electronic Monitoring. T h e 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 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. During FY93, the department began piloting electronic monitoring in five counties. No. served Youth served by Attention Homes FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 Community Programs F DGYS Community Treatment Center in Albany Trends + There was a 6% increase in the number of youth served by Court Services from FY '92 to FY '93. + From FY'92 to FY '93, the average daily caseload of Court Service T4hrkers increased from 52.8 to j5.8 cases. Community programs Court Services T he Court Services Program was established in 1963. In most counties this program provides intake, probation, counseling, case management, supervision, detention planning and aftercare supervision. In some areas, count\. staff provide intake and probation or share services with the department. 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 titne or minor offender, emphasis is placed on resolving the youth's problems to avoid court intervention (informal adjustment). Probation services ensure that the youth complies with the requireriie~ltsof the court. Counseling/Case Management involves developing a plan that the Court Service Worker pursues to rehabilitate the youth and prevent tiirther involvement with the court. T h e worker provides counseling, supervision and may network with other resources in the co~nmunityfor appropriate program referrals. Detention planning involves worlung closely with the local juvenile courts to deterllline if the youth poses a 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 comnlunity. T h e Court Service Worker provides counseling, assists the youth in finding ernploy~nenot r networks with appropriate agencies. Youth receiving Court Services No. of youth 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Juvenile Intake and Probation Services nties .-- DCYS Noble Shotwell of the Child and Adolescent Unit of S. M State Hospital and Wanda Powell of Thomas County Court Services teachyouth about the dangers of dncgs and alcohol in a substance abuse awareness class that is offered in Thomasville. Stridents doing cbores nt Broken Shnckle Ranch (c07~mrinity~-esoz11~ine)Dnvisboro. Community Treatment Centers ommunity Treatment Centers are relatively small, nonresidential, community-hased programs for delinquent:and unruly offenders. S~tialclaseloads ~ ~ e r maintintensive, structured treatment format. Although staffed by DCYS workers, each Community Treatment Center is an integral part of the local conlmunity Linkages with private and public sector agencies are prornoted in order to increase services to youth and integrate then1 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, e t ~ . ) . Group activities provide structured learning experiences in the areas of sex education, health, law-related education and other life skills areas. Special e~nphasisis placed on employability skills. In some areas, actual work experience programs are a part of the Community Treatment Center Program. Parents are involved in farnily counseling or parent effectiveness training at some Community Treatment Centers and through other local agencies or private resources. 111FY93, center locations were: DeKalb ( 2 ) Floyd Fulton (2) Glynn Rartow Gwinnett Ribb Hall Chatham Houston Clayton lMuscogee Cobb Richmond Colquitt Upson Coweta Whitfield Dougherty Youth served in Community Treatment Centers No served FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 "Recent research indicates that no matter how positive the experience in residential care, this progress will be overwhelmed by negative family, peer and community influence. Aftercare services help support youngsters through this critical period and increase the possibility of a successful re-entry home." -Excerpt fro111X New I'ision, Alandate and An Agenda for Reform prepared by NCCD Community Schools ommunity Schools are nonresidential, community-based alternative schools for delinquent and uliruly 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. Community Schools are located in Fulton, DeKalb and Chatham Counties. Youth referred to the Community Schools spend a short period of time (usually less than six months) acquiring the acaclernic and social slulls necessary to successhll!~ reenter the local puhlic school setting. 1,ifc skills in lam; health and career education are included in the curriculum. C;roup, 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 tilne pursuits. Intensive Supervision Programs In FY93, the DCYS ran 20 ISP Programs. These programs were initiated to nlinilnize out-of-home placements. ISP was accomplished by providing daily contact with youth which extended into the evening hours. Multi-Service Centers Through a grant provided by the kf'hitehead Foundation, Multi-Service Centers were established in Fulton, Chatham and DeKalh Counties. By consolidating some existing DCYS programs, and offering sen-ices in the evening hours and on the weekends, the DCYS is ruaximizing its ability to provide client supenrision. ,An emphasis of the Multi-Service Centers is the provision of appropriate aftercare services to youth returning fro111our Youth Development Campuses and other outof-home placements. This is accomplished t)y assigning each youth returning to the conmunity to a Transitional Aftercare Croup (TA4G). T h e TAG programs are the component of the Multi-Service Centers that work to ensure each youth is afforded intensive educational, recreational, cultural and supenrision services. Youth served in Community Schools FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 Residential Programs l r DCYS Rufics Sanders, acational Teacher, inshzlctingmasonry class at A u p a YDC. Residential programs Youth Development Campuses Trends - FY93 Admissions by campuses were as follows: Lorenzo Benn 164 Augusta 3 80 Macon (females) 49 Macon (males) 148 Milledgeville 257 TOTAL 998 Admissions by offense - FY93: Delinquent 599 Designated felodRestricted Custody 369 Superior Court 30 Youth Development Campuses tate Youth Development Campuses are residential institutions providing education and treatment for those youth committed to the Department of Children and Youth Services by Juvenile or Superior Courts of Georgia. The campuses provide academic, vocational, medical, counseling and religious services. Placements at the YDCs are for ~011thfor whom no alternate plan is available or considered desirable. All four campuses have school programs accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission. During FY 93, cottages were selected from the Augusta and Lorenzo Benn Campuses to pilot a Behavior Management Program. This program utilizes a point system, a level system and a cottage team approach to treatment. This program will be implemented in additional cottages during FY94. Lorenzo Benn YDC Lorenzo Benn YDC- Atlanta, with a capacity of 106 (100 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 education 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 Correctional Association 4!F Rose Marie Carter, YDW Seniol; and students in student garden at Lorenzo Benn YDC. (ACA) and the Georgia Medical Association's Committee on Prison Health Care. Augusta YDC Augusta YDC serves males who have been assessed as having medium to high public risk ratings; and youth who have significant prior histories of delinquency or previous YDC placements. With a capacity of 252 (240 in regular cottages and 12 in orientation and diagnostic units), the Augusta YDC offers a variety of programs, including a sex offender program. Vocational courses include fast foods, brick masonry and barbering. Academic classes, GED preparation and remedial education classes are also offered. Macon YDC Macon YDC has a capacity of 132 students. The campus serves both males (100) and females (32) who have been assessed as having medium to high public risk levels. The Macon campus offers academic classes, GED preparation, parenting classes, cosmetology, and industrial arts. Alcohol and drug treatment is provided when needed for all students. The Macon YDC is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) and the Georgia Medical Association's Committee on Prison Health Care. Milledgeville YDC At the beginning of the fiscal year, Milledgeville YDC, had a capacity of 252 males (240 in regular cottages and 12 in the orientation and diagnostic unit). It 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 impulse control and appropriate decision-making skills. A program in behavior control teaches anger control and pro-social 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 state YDCs. The process of downsizing the YDC was begun this year with the transfer of 18 youth to the Eastman Youth Development Facility operated by the Department of Corrections. Admissions to State Youth Development Campuses No. sewed Male r Female =E= T o t a l Youth served by Group Homes No. sewed I Non-secure Residential Prosrams: Group Homes he Group Home Program is a placement for delincluent youth u-110 come from unstable home situations. Youth from throughout the state are referred to one of three locations: IlSnder, Cainesville, or Savannah. In these facilities, young inen share a structured hoine environment. Group counseling is an integral part of all group home prograins even though each home has a unique program. T h e Phillip Grace Group Home in II'inder is a joint DNR/DCYS project. T h e home is located in the park, and the residents are hired for park maintenance sewices. Youth at the Savannah Group Home work at the Regional Hospital operated by the Division of Mental Health, DHR. The Gainesville Group Home initiated a work program in FY89 to maintain county parks in cooperation with the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department. Contract Homes ontract homes, like group homes, provide residential treatnlent for delinquent and unruly youth whose h o ~ n esituation is contributing to their behav- ior. Services are provided in an atrtiosphere as much like home as possible through contracts with private families, institutions or C O I T ~ I ~ ~ U - nity facilities. T h e department has developed and expanded this progratn due to its cost effectiveness and statewide availability. T h e Contract Honle Program inakes ~naxi~nuuinse of community resources as attend public scl~oolsand participate in corninunity activi- ties. Wilderness Youth Development Programs T he 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 No. served 120 100 80 60 40 20 Youth served by Contract Homes FY84FY85FY86FY87FY88FY89FY90FY91 FY92 FY93 M ildernes5 experience. Upon con~pletionof the wilderncs\ experience, youth return horne or to another community placement on aftercare status. Baxley Wilderness Institute T h e Baxley \lTlderness Institute is a nonprofit rehabilitation and education fiacility for adolescent t)o!;s operated by Associated Jlarine Institute, Inc. T h e p. rog-ram serves 30 youth in a wiltierness/marine-related, educational and vocational environment. %verity youth are on-site and twenty are in aftercare. T h e goals of the program are to reduce or eliminate recidivis~namong participants, to increase each youth's academic skills and to develop each youth's vocational skills and work ethic. T h e average length of stay in the progrAm is six months on-site and six months on aftercare. T h e population served by Baxley is generally comprised of repeat felony offenders-youth who urould typically be placed on a Youth Development Campus. Wilderness Youth Development Program T h e Wilderness Youth Development Program is a short-term program designed to provide care, treatment and supervision as an alternative to placement in one of the four YDCs operated by the Department. The program is structured around a 26-day \vilderness experience for lllale youth who are in need of treatment, but u-ho do not require long-term secure confinement. ll'hile particij)ating in the program, youth are involved in such activities as canoeing, rock climbing and backpacking. Those youth M ho colnplete the 26-day wilderness experience rehirn home or to sonle other community-based place~uenot n aftercare status. Project Challenge Project Challenge, developed under contract with Project Adventure, Inc., provides a six-week community-based experience for committed p u t h combining active and compelling experiences, experiential acadernics and individual and group counseling. T h e 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. Trends + In FY'93, 50% of ~ l l comm~ttedj outh scored ~ n t~o hd~ g hon their use of ,~lcohol , ~ n ddrugs. 'I'his 1s a 14% Increaw fro111 F'I' '89 to '93. + In FY '93, 30% of all c o n ~ m i t t e dy o u t h scored r n ~ dto high on the need for rllental hedlth services. This is an 86% increase f r o ~ n FY '89 to FY '93. + In FY ' 9 3 , 87% of all comlnitted youth scored mid to high on the need for residential support. This is a 22% increase from FY '89 to FY '93. Youth served by Wilderness Youth Development Programs No. served 140 120 100 80 60 4 0 2 0 0 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 Specialized Residential Services T his program provides residential 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 specialized treatment services. Services are obtained from the private sector. Many of the placements are in alcohol or drug treatment program\. A large number of youth were given specialized residential placements in FY '92. Because many of these youth were currently in placement in FY '93, fewer new placements could be made during that fiscal year. Short-Term Treatment Programs T he Short-Term Treatment Programs provide structured, residential treatment to comnlitted 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 cornmunity-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 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, 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 Youth served by Specialized Residential Services No served 18 16 14 I2 10 8 6 4 2 No served FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 DCYS Other Programs DCYS Investigators retz~rningyouth to RYDC. Trends + Commitn~entsfor violent sex offenders increased by 38% from FY '89 to FY '93. + Cornmit~nentsfor violent offenders, exclusive of sex offenders, increased 73% from FY '89 to FY '93. + Commitments for all violent offenders increased 65% from FY '89 to FY '93. + Commitments for non-violent offenders increased 9% from FY '89 to FY '93. + Of Georgia's 159 counties, 9 accounted for 51.2% ofFY '93 total commitments. 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 received by the Unit from any departmental institution, community-based or aftercare program. T;17orking in cooperation with local and state law enforcement agencies, Investigators respond to requests for assistance on a twenty-four (24) hour basis. Computer terminal access to the Georgia Crime Information Center and National Crime Information Center is used to aid the Unit in its investigation of departmental youth and in conducting criminal background investigations of potential DCYS employees, interns, attention and contract home parents, members, 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. T h e 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 h r p o r t for runaway youth who are changing planes while returning to their home state. Education and Vocation Proarams E nabling legislation creating the Department of Children and Youth Services included the department's designation as a Special School District. T h e department's Commissioner serves as the school superintendent. T h e Board of DCYS functions as the Board of Education. Members of the Office of Program Development and Evaluation staff serve in various school administration capacities. Education services are provided in one of three (3) departmental programs. They are: Community Schools - Nonresidential alternative schools which provide remedial and basic academic instruction designed to assist youth in making a successful reentry into the public school setting. T h e department operates Community Schools in DeKalb, Fulton and Chatham Counties. Regional Youth Detention Center School Programs - Youth in temporary residential placements in one of 20 stateoperated facilities are provided individualized education plans and instruction with allow- ances for entry and exit from the program at any time. Youth Development Campuses - The education programs at these four state facilities are accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission. T h e Lorenzo Benn and Macon facilities are also accredited by the American Correctional Association. These progranls provide a full range of academic education which includes Chapter 1 Services and Special Education. Selected vocational education courses are also provided and are based on the differing needs of the youth population at each facility. As a separate school district, the department is required to bring all educational and vocational programs into compliance with the Georgia Department of Education Standards. T h e department has focused intensely on identifying program needs and the development of corrective action plans. Commitments C ommitment of a to the depart- ment 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. \$%en a youth is committed to the department, a treatment plan is developed which includes counseling, supenision and pIacer~ientP. ossible placer-nents include admission to a DCYS community-l~asedor short-term treatnlent program, admission to a Youth Development (:ariipus, referral to an outside agency or placernent in the youth's own home. T h e department maintains a classifica- tion system for co~rllnittedyouth. T h e pur- poses of the system are to provide staff with information to: (a) assist in placement deci- sions, (b) assist in establishing programming priorities once a placement is made, and (c) establish a method for security classification for Youth Development Campus placement. During the first three quarters of FY93, the Classification Profile, first inlplemented in 1985, was the assessment instrument used. 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 histor!' are considered, and the scale provides guidance in determining whether an institti- tional or community placement is appropriate. Youth rated at Level one are those committed for offenses such as trespassing, theft (under $jOO), curfew violation, possession of alcohol, runawa!; and siinple assault. Level two offenses include burglary, theft (over $SOU), auto theft, and escape. Level three offenses include aggravated assault, child molestatio~l, 1-ehicular homicide, and robbery. Level four offenses include aggravated sodomy, aggra- ratect child molestation, armed robbery, rape, and rnurder. Designated felony cases are level four. Level five is used for Superior Court commitments. Assigned levels can he in- creased if there is a history of escape or habitual/ multiple offenses. FY93 commitment totals by level were as follows: Superior Court 3 1 Designated Felons 343 Level 5 69 I,evel 4 393 Level 3 745 Level 2 844 Level 1 1,079 Status 127 Total 3,631 DCYS Average PreIPost WRAT Math and Reading Scores FY 1993 9 Post-Reading 8 Post-Math 7 6 5 4 Atlanta Augusta Milledgeville Macon Macon [Femalesl (Males) Total DCYS Residential Support Needs - This scale provides an assessment of family needs and problems, and provides guidance on the need for family counseling or out-of-home placeIlleIlt. Medical Needs -This scale provides an assessment of nledical problems that could affect participation in programs. Mental Health Needs - This scale, often completed in consultation with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, provides an assessnlent of emotional problems and offers guidance for appropriate placement and services. Alcohol and Drug Needs - 'This scale provides an assesslnent of substance abuse problems and provides guidance for appropriate senrlces. 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. The department recognized the need to include additional, more relevant information in the assessment and classification process. In 1991 it began to develop, in conjunction with the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, a comprehensive classification/case management system. This new system was implemented in April, 1993. Therefore, youth committed during the last quarter of FY 93 were assessed using the new system. Three assessment instruments are completed on all youth. T h e Placement Assessment is used to determine whether a youth will be placed at a YDC or in an alternative program. Alplacement assessment score is obtained by adding nunleric values that are assigned to the current offense, the 111ostserious prior offense and the nunlber of previous delinquent adjudications. T h e colnposite scores fall in low, medium and high ranges. T h e Risk Assessment deter~nincsthe youth's potential or risk to re-offend; factors such as age at first adjudication, number of informal adjustments, number of prior out-ofhome placements, runaway history, school problen~sh, istory of alcohol/drug abuse, peer relationships, parental control, employment and use of weapons are used to establish a score for risk. T h e Needs Assessment determines the treatment needs of each youth. Areas of concern are residential support needs, medical, mental health, alcohol and drug treatment needs, educational and vocational needs. A composite score of the risk and needs assessment determines level of supervision. T h e level of supervision dictates the minimum number of client and family contacts and is an integral part of the case management system the systematic process of assessing, planning, coordinating, brokering and directing the delivery of supervision and treatrllent services to youth based on established standards. Commitments and Placements to DCYS FY 1984-1993 4000 3500 3000 - Revocations Alternate Plan\ 2500 2000 Total 1500 1000 500 0 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 Commitments, Diversions and Unruly Commitments Fiscal Year 1993 - County Commitments Diversions Appl1ni~- I1 1 Atkinson 0 0 Bacon 1 0 Baker 0 0 BC1ltluin 7 2 Banks i 3 Bdrrov 2 6 7 3 Bartou 26 -3 1 Ben Hill 15 1 0 Berrien 1 0 Blbb 156 110 Bleckle) Brantle) Brooks 4 I 4 - 3 1 5 Ba* 11 13 12 Bulloch i 8 32 Burke I6 8 Butts 8 8 Calhoun 0 0 Carnden 5 4 Candler 5 4 Carroll 3 6 2 7 Catoosa 13 12 Charlton 4 3 Chathd~rl 2 i1 134 Chattahoochce 7 1 Chattooga i > Cherokee 8 h Clarke 5 O 3-3 Cld) 0 0 C1`14 ton 6 8 48 Clinch 0 0 Cobh 145 I I? Coftee 10 4 Colclu~tt 1-8 7 1 ~:ol~ltlll~l'l 6 <:ool, (,OM etd 6 3 27 --7 7 C;rd\\ ford 1 I Crisp 10 4 Il~ide 11 0 Dan son 0 0 De~,ltur i 0 18 DeK,llb I00 20. Dotige 16 0 Dool~ - 7 1 Unruly 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 I 0 1 0 0 0 1 7 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 O 1 I 0 0 County Commitments Diversions Dougherty I ii 98 Douglas 1 X 17 Farly i 3 Fchols 3 - 7 Eftingh~m 24 18 Elbert 15 12 Em,lnuel EL'111s Fann~n 11 8 - 8 - I I > F.'