Juvenile Justice Coalition July 27, 1998 Public Policy Paper Executive Summary Prevention and Intervention-In order to prevent juvenile crime, Georgia must:

Take a Whole Family Approach. A goal of DJJ should be to provide more appropriate servicesand support to families so that parents will be able to better maintain their children in their own homes.
Target Resources. Targeting resources toward prevention and early intervention programs is a cost-effective means of protecting public safety.
Reduce the Caseload of court workers from 1:85 to 1:35. The Department must hire more juvenile probation and parole specialists and provide them with better wages and working conditions if they are to retain the best and brightest staff. Provide Mental Health Services. A thorough screening/assessment process must be developed for youth involved with the juvenile justice system. Follow-up of counseling and medication reviews by mental health professionals and parent must occur.
Involve Community-Based Groups in mentoring youth. It is the responsibility of the community to serve those youth that are at risk of incarceration.
Provide After-School Programs. After-school programs can offer tutorial help, mentoring, recreational activities and supervision for primary, elementary, middle and high school age youth.
Build Public Awareness. Educating the public is important to involving citizens in taking responsibility for young people.
Provide Accountability by Contracting. DJJ should consider contracting with more private community-based agencies for intervention programming.

Detention-Facilities that house juveniles while in DJJ custody must have: Quality Assessment. A treatment plan and a risk assessment should be done for every juvenile.
Community-Based Programs. Residential Programs such as contract homes (foster homes), group homes, specialized residential services, and wilderness programs offer cost effective options to traditional incarceration.
Mental Health Coverage. Mental health services should be a high priority for incarcerated children.
Education and Vocational Training. Vocational training should be incorporated in every long term secure detention setting. Children should be prepared for work or continue their education.
Staffing. Zero tolerance of abuse of youth by staff or of staff by youth in detention must be incorporated into DJJ policy.
Monitoring. Public accountability is lacking in the DJJ. Georgia needs an independent Ombudsman program to handle complaints by the children to address this need.  Transitional Services--Numerous studies point to the importance of transitional services in reducing recidivism in youth. The following services are needed in Georgia: Supportive Services to Families and Children. Work with families must begin before the juvenile is released from detention and continue after release.
Community Involvement. Children need to be linked with community institutions that can provide transitional services, after-school programming, mentoring and tutoring.
Better Use of Probation. Reduction of caseloads will assist with the reduction of recidivism, as well as aid in prevention. Proposed Legislation--Current law allows all of the above recommendations to be implemented. Some legislation, however, that would be beneficial include: Require Placement Alternatives - Alternative placements for adjudicated youth are allowed by the Georgia Code but because dollars are not appropriated for these placements, there are few.
Require Assessments for every child entering a detention setting. Determine what services the child needs relative to his/her age, mental health needs, length of stay, etc.
Specify appropriate staff ratios and qualifications.
Establish a citizen's review board for DJJ. In addition to the current DJJ Board, establish community advisory boards for every program.