§2758.1. Legislative findings

A. The legislature finds that:

(1) A significant number of youths involved in the juvenile justice system are in need of mental health services or have experienced involvement in the child welfare system. These youths are often referred to as "crossover youths" as they receive services from multiple agencies.

(2) Research has shown that a single, targeted case management system can better track "crossover youths" from system to system, target services to those youths, and assist in lowering recidivism, out-of-home placements, and potential adult incarceration.

(3) In 2011, Louisiana created the Coordinated System of Care to better leverage the monies flowing into juvenile mental health services for youths with severe disturbances. Opportunities exist and should be pursued for greater collaboration and sharing of information across all systems to benefit such youths.

(4) A complete continuum of care for at-risk youths will reduce the number of youths who enter into the juvenile and criminal justice systems, improve access to treatment and rehabilitative services for youths currently involved in the system, and reduce recidivism by:

(a) Improving coordination and access to programs focusing on prevention and early intervention.

(b) Improving access to treatment, rehabilitation, and educational services to youths currently involved in multiple systems in Louisiana.

(c) Developing a mechanism for youths exiting the juvenile justice and child welfare systems to obtain the educational and workforce training necessary to ensure that such youths exit as self-sufficient, productive young adults who are less likely to be reliant on social services or enter the adult correctional system.

B. A comprehensive and integrated delivery system of case management for at-risk youths should be developed to ensure that every at-risk youth has access to the appropriate resources to become a self-sufficient and productive adult.

Acts 2013, No. 214, §1.