Leveraging Technology to Increase Behavioral Health Services Access for Youth in the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems: a Cross-systems Collaboration Model
Marina Tolou‐Shams, Evan D. Holloway, Catalina Ordorica, Juliet Yonek, Johanna B. Folk, Emily Dauria, Kristiana Lehn, Ifunanya Ezimora, Honorable Monica F. Wiley
Abstract
Behavioral health services access for justice- and child welfare-involved youth is limited despite significant need. Structural interventions to address limited access are nascent. Technology can advance access, but few interventions focus on system-impacted youth and their mental health needs and challenges. This article describes the development, process, and initial outcomes of the Youth Justice and Family Well-Being Technology Collaborative (JTC) that was formed to leverage technology within and across public health and justice-related systems to promote increased behavioral health services access. Cross-system considerations are identified for public health, court, and other key stakeholders to successfully integrate technology into practice to expand access to these critical services.