A Qualitative Examination of Juvenile Probation Officers as Gateway Providers to Mental Health Care

Abstract

Despite significant rates of psychopathology, less than 10% of court-involved youth are connected to appropriate care on release from detention. The majority are mandated to probation on release, providing the juvenile probation officer (PO) a unique opportunity to facilitate connection to mental health care. The current study supported this notion through analysis of qualitative interviews with recently detained youth, and their caregivers, who were identified with mental health concerns in detention. The juvenile PO was evaluated as a gateway provider (GP) in the pathway to mental health care. Results supported previous research discussing the conflicting roles inherent in juvenile probation: law enforcement and rehabilitation. A number of individualand system-level factors specific to juvenile POs improved or impaired likelihood of connection to care. Further research should investigate how the interaction of the individual juvenile PO's law enforcement orientation, and departmental culture and climate, affects youth's connection to mental health care.

The Experience, Impact, and Management of Professional Burnout Among Probation Officers in Juvenile Justice Settings

“…For example, probation officers may be intolerant or more directive with clients. Other research shows that clients and family members pick up on probation officer "exasperation" and experience some officers as being more punitive than others (Holloway, Brown, Suman, & Aalsma, 2013). Probation officers in our study also described withdrawing from clients, similar to the idea of depersonalization in Maslach's conceptualiztion (Maslach, 1996).…”

Mental Health and Substance-Related Treatment Utilization, Dropout, and Continuity of Care among Detained Adolescents: A 14-Year Longitudinal Study

“…In addition to limited services available in juvenile justice facilities, other systemlevel factors that impacts treatment utilization among DAs include staff behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge (Holloway, Brown, Suman, & Aalsma, 2013). While adolescents are being detained, detention staff are largely responsible for determining who receives services and the types of services being offered.…”

“…DAs also report significant difficulties related to trying to reintegrate back into the community while simultaneously trying to remain actively involved in treatment (Moore et al, 2013). Many endorse interest in services, but tend to terminate treatment services for a variety of reasons, including distrust of treatment providers, feeling disrespected or unfairly judged by treatment providers (especially for relapses), being unable to find services that fit their busy schedules with school, work, and taking care of family members, feeling powerless in overly-controlled treatment programs (e.g., strict substance use rules, no contact with former friends), and lack of support system/family involvement in services (Moore et al, 2013 In response to the challenges that DAs experience in obtaining treatment services, juvenile probation officers can help DAs address treatment barriers by serving as a source of information or "gateway providers" (Holloway et al, 2013;Stiffman et al, 2004) regarding treatment options and available resources; officers can also regularly communicate with treatment providers in the community to monitor DAs' progress and Alternatively, results may stem from timing of diagnosis; males were significantly more likely to have a diagnosis upon detention entry, whereas females were more likely to be diagnosed post-detention. Thus, providers within the detention center may have been more aware of male DAs in need of treatment services and therefore more likely to provide referrals and/or planning for transition to community services Trupin et al, 2004;Williams et al, 2008).…”

“…Unfortunately, evidence suggests that negative attitudes among providers can result in biased and differential treatment based on adolescents' gender, race, or other characteristics (Lopez-Williams et al, 2006;Towberman, 1994). Once DAs are released from detention, juvenile probation officers play an integral role in helping DAs obtain appropriate mental health and substance-related services in the community (Holloway et al, 2013;Riley, 2014). This is because many DAs do not know who, where, or how to receive services, so probation officers serve as a source of information or "gateway providers" for assisting detained youth upon community reentry (Stiffman, Pescosolido, & Cabassa, 2004).…”

“…Different parties involved in the juvenile justice system, such as probation officers, judges, detention center staff, police officers, and community providers, should take part in service planning for DAs with mental health needs (Holloway et al, 2013;Stiffman et al, 2004). A system based upon regular communication and coordination of crucial information and resources related to treatment services, such as the one implemented by the Idaho Department of Juvenile…”