Citation

Wells K, Whittington D. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 1990; 12(3): 243-256.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0190-7409(90)90015-P

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examines the service use history of youths referred to one private, nonprofit mental health agency over a 12-month period. One hundred eleven youths were study subjects. Services studied included those in the mental health, welfare, and juvenile justice systems. Study data were obtained from individuals who were knowledgeable about these youths. Data were validated against service use data recorded in youths' case records. Analyses revealed extensive prior use of services, use of services across systems, sex and racial differences in type and duration of services used, and use of less restrictive mental health services before more restrictive services. Some issues raised by findings are delineated.