Running head: SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION DISCUSSION SUMMARY

Special Needs Population Discussion Summary

CJHS/420

SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION DISCUSSION SUMMARY

Special Needs Population Discussion Summary

About four in one million- Americans are younger than 18 years old, the age group that is
commonly referred to as juveniles. This group has statistically increased since the 1980s, and it is
currently expected to continue to increase. The changes in the juvenile system will depend on the
different segments of the juvenile population as well. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention (n.d), overall changes in population, such as economic conditions,
education, health, care, etc., also impact significantly delinquency and the juvenile justice system
as a whole.
Many juveniles who are in the juvenile justice system have many of the same
characteristics. These characteristics can stem from the following: dysfunctional family life;
neglect that may also include physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse; living in poverty-stricken
areas; living in high crime areas; having poor parental role models who may also break the law.
These characteristics are similar to the ones Team C provided. Juveniles entering the criminal
justice system bring an array of problems with them. These problems are substance abuse,
academic failure, emotional issues, health issues, family problems, and a history of physical,
sexual, and emotional abuse. Girls make up about one-third of juvenile arrests. The assessment is
a very important tool because not all juveniles who used drugs need treatment. The assessment
gives case managers information needed to help them decide the appropriate treatment (National
Institute on Drug Abuse,).
There are three identified juvenile offending trajectories which are patterns conducted
over a life course. There are different rates when most juvenile grow out of crime. The three
trajectories are identified as the following:

14 year old offenders are responsible for 21 percent of offenses committed.

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16 year old offenders are responsible for 44 percent of offenses committed.

Chronic offenders peak early and continue throughout their juvenile lives and are

responsible for 33 percent of offenses.

These three trajectories help identify which stage a juvenile will be most likely to
continue towards criminal active and the amount of offending crimes they are responsible for
(Richards 2011) Wright (2015), "Seventy percent of children in the juvenile justice system have
educational disabilities -- the vast majority have an Emotional Disturbance (ED) or Specific
Learning Disabilities. When the federal special education law was passed in 1975" (Did you
know that). Juveniles in the adult criminal justice system require safety and qualified staff while
in adult prisons and jails (Austin 2000).
The purpose of Juvenile Justice Case Management Services is to coordinate the services
and supervision. These services can help youth address problems and develop the attitudes
and skills needed to make responsible choices, avoid negative behaviors, and become productive,
connected, and law-abiding members of their communities. Social Solutions' Efforts to
Outcomes (ETO) software provides a flexible, web-based, single software platform that can be
customized to meet an agency or programs with unique needs. The software helps juvenile
caseworkers track participant progress, track service delivery, and understand program
performance.
Healey (1999), "Project CHANCE
(Casemanagement/Habilitation/Advocacy/Networking/Coordinating council/Education and
Training), a program run by the Association of Retarded Citizens is a promising program for
Juveniles. Programs such as the Project Chance reduces the recidivism rate. Project Action, an

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intensive case management program for mentally ill offenders with a 5 percent recidivism rate
for program participants versus a 64 percent rate for offenders on regular release" (pg. 7, 8).
Much of Team As information is very similar to Team Cs. Team Cs solutions were a bit
vague. Team A provided examples of project Chance and Action. These projects are currently
used to reduce recidivism. Team A also provided statistics whereas Team C was lacking in that
area. Juveniles are a special population with special needs. There are a number of projects up and
running; however, not enough is currently being done to reduce the rate of juvenile offenders.
Case managers are very important to juvenile offenders. Case managers can help them turn their
lives around and become productive members of society.

SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION DISCUSSION SUMMARY

References
Austin, J. (2000). Juveniles in Adult Prisons and Jails A National Assessment. Retrieved from
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/182503.pdf
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (). Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice
Populations - A Research-Based Guide. Retrieved from
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-abuse-treatment-criminal-justicepopulations/what-are-unique-treatment-needs-juveniles-in-crimin
Richards, K. (2011, February). What makes juvenile offenders different from adult offenders?
Trends & Issues. Retrieved from https://www.aic.gov.au/media.../tandi409.pdf
U.S. Department of Justice Programs. (n.d). Juvenile Characteristics. Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved
from http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/population/overview.html
Wright, P. W. D. (2015). Juvenile Justice. Retrieved from
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/jj.index.htm