FY 2012 Community Integration (Olmstead) Performance Measure:

In FY 2012, DYRS will partner with the Department of Mental Health (DMH), and other community-based organizations, and aim to transition 30 committed youth with disabilities from Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) or Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs) to their home community with services, but only if such community-based placements protect the safety of the young persons and the public.

FY 2012 Community Integration (Olmstead) Plan Outline:

Mission:

The mission of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services is to improve public safety and give court-involved youth the opportunity to become more productive citizens by building on the strengths of youth and their families in the least restrictive, most home-like environment, consistent with public safety.

Vision:

The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services will provide the nation’s best continuum of care for court-involved youth and their families through a wide range of programs that emphasize individual strengths, personal accountability, public safety, skill development, family involvement and community support.

Agency Future Planning:

In 2009, DYRS established the Lead Entity Service Coalition initiative, now known as DC YouthLink, a regionalized continuum of community-based services. Two community-based organizations, East of the River Clergy Police Community Partnership and Progressive Life Center, were identified to broker large arrays of both traditional and non-traditional services and supports for DYRS youth returning to their home communities. Previously, either youth were sent out-of-state to access needed services or youth and their families had to travel throughout the District to access services and supports, resulting in their reduced utilization. By enhancing services available in local communities, and by adding to the array, non-traditional services (e.g., non Medicaid-able services such as recreational opportunities and arts and leadership programs), DYRS strives to increase the likelihood of their successful use and to be able to keep more youth in their communities. Going forward, DYRS intends to expand the quality and breadth of services available to youth in the community through DC YouthLink.

Agency’s Population and the Definition of this Population:

Many youth committed to DYRS have significant behavioral health needs. These youth may be sent to out-of-state RTCs or PRTFs to receive treatment and services. DYRS predominantly serves an African American population of males under the age of 21. In FY 2011, for example, 98% of youth committed to DYRS were African American. The most significant barrier to keeping youth in their home communities continues to be the lack of available resources in the District.