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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO REVIEW THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE JTDC ADVISORY BOARD AND CREATE ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS OF THE JTDC
WHEREAS, the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Advisory Board (“JTDC Advisory Board”) was established in 2014 by the adoption of the Cook County Code Ordinance 12-0-43; and,
WHEREAS, the purpose of the JTDC Advisory Board is to establish an advocacy and resource group to provide public recommendations to the Executive Director of the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, the Chief Judge, the County Board and the President on matters relating to the policies and operations of the JTDC; and,
WHEREAS, the JTDC Advisory Board is responsible for providing public recommendations regarding the educational, social, and psychological needs of the population, establishing public performance measures to track and measure the achievement of the JTDC’s mission, and provide public recommendations to ensure the general health, mental health, educational, physical, social and, psychological needs; and,
WHEREAS, the JTDC conducts a yearly public report to carry out its responsibilities; and,
WHEREAS, the JTDC Advisory Board published and presented its Annual Report 2019 on the use of solitary confinement with youth in detention in Cook County; and,
WHEREAS, in summary, the JTDC Advisory Board recommended the following in its Annual Report 2019: (1) Cease the Use of Solitary Confinement, (2) Hold Special Hearings, and (3) Require Public Reporting; and,
WHEREAS, the JTDC Advisory Board recommends that a mandate be instilled that will require the identification of resources, training, alternative interventions, and discipline strategies that are evidence-based and trauma-informed; and,
WHEREAS, in its Annual Report 2019, the JTDC Advisory Board interviewed residents of the JTDC. The resident recommendations included incorporating additional counseling, therapy and behavioral support; and,
WHEREAS, national estimates reveal that approximately 50 to 75 percent of youth encountering the juvenile justice system meet criteria for a mental health disorders; and,
WHEREAS, the JTDC’s current practices include trauma-informed approaches to care including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Trauma-Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents (TGCT-A); and,
WHEREAS, while access to mental health care within juvenile detention centers across the nation has improved, the linkage of juvenile correctional facility care with community-based services upon release remains anecdotally problematic; and,
WHEREAS, juveniles reentering society experience many of the same challenges that formerly incarcerated adult offenders face; however, some juvenile justice experts content that juveniles experience additional obstacles because they are detained during their developmental years; and,
WHEREAS, a critical issue for youths with mental disorders released into the community is inadequate or interrupted care that may lead to abrupt cessation of medications or psychotherapy and thereby increase rates of re-arrests; and,
WHEREAS, national standards suggest that juveniles require substantial mental health assistance based upon (a) their high rate of psychiatric disorders prior to release, (b) their high rates of re-arrest and recidivism within six months of being released, (c) their frequent lack of receiving any mental health care in the community; and,
WHEREAS, by ensuring a continuation of care and programs that rehabilitate the youth, youth needs can be met and their quality of life can be improved; and,
WHEREAS, young people leaving juvenile justice residential placements face many concerns as they reenter the community, home, and school/workforce; and,
WHEREAS, many young people involved in the juvenile justice system have a mental health disorder, and there is gap in support services in their home communities that negatively impact the reentry process; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and residents of Cook County request a hearing with, community stakeholders, mental health professionals and juvenile justice advocates to further enhance the role of mental health services at the JTDC and review current mental health and behavioral practices; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and residents of Cook County request the Cook County Health and Hospitals System to provide information on current services related to mental health and behavioral therapy available to the residents at the JTDC and the platforms for continuation of care at re-entry; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and residents of Cook County request the JTDC to provide a quarterly report on practices and policies instated at the JTDC, including disciplinary practices among other practice.
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