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Police Response to Juveniles in Crisis
A *collaborative Approach and Training
August 2009*Police/Corrections/Mental health/District
attorney/Parents
GoalThis training is designed to give officer’s
information that will help guide them when responding to calls for Emotionally Disturbed Persons, both Juveniles and Adults. Developing a protocol for response, as well as, working with agencies to provide information sharing, will help provide the proper treatment and/or detention for the adult/juvenile. Working with local agencies to develop a “Crisis Plan” will help reduce the amount of repetitive calls an officer receives.
Performance Objectives
The student will be able to do the following as outlined1.1 Provide a better response by early identification of at
risk juveniles in crisis by early identification of at risk juveniles
1.2 Define a behavioral Crisis1.3 Identify the effects of mental health & disability
diagnoses in youth behavior1.4 Define a “melt down” and possible triggers1.5 Define the cycle of a “Melt down”1.6 Define power struggle1.7 Recognize juvenile mental health and behavioral
issues
Performance Objectives
1.8 Recognize common psychotropic medications
1.9 List 3 interventions for behavioral crisis to help reduce the amount of repetitive calls an officer receives
1.10 Recognize the importance of collecting information and collaboration with agencies
1.11 Provide officers with resources for youth committing crimes that also exhibit a Behavioral Crisis
1.12 Identify and divert youth better served in behavioral health out of the Juvenile Justice System
1.13 Recognize the nature of a call when dealing with an EDA
1.14 Recognize the options available when dealing with an EDA
A Juvenile in Crisis is A Juvenile Displaying One or More of the
following Behaviors:
Disruptive Destructive
Violent Criminal
Self-harming Threatening
Assaultive
Difficult Behaviors and Emotional Disorders
It is important to note that all children that have difficult behaviors do not have a mental illness.
Likewise, children that have mental illnesses do not always have challenging behaviors.
Children and Mental Illness
Brain disorders and mental illnesses are equal opportunity conditions and effect children and adolescents from a broad
spectrum of families
Brain researchers encourage teachers, doctors and mental health providers to resist blaming mental illnesses on “poor
parenting”
Melt Down
For children with special needs, physical or emotional, a melt down is not about using a tactic or a voluntary behavior; it is a symptom signaling that something deeper is happening. *“The child has moved beyond coherent and rational thought”
*Dr. Ross Greene
Melt down triggers Lack of, or changes in medications Trauma (current or past) Change in normal routine (divorce/loss,
moving, changing schools, home disruption)
Lack of child/parent coping skills Power struggles Inability to deal with conflict
Cycle of a Melt DownAgitation Stage- lack of coping skills, Many possible triggers
MELT DOWN- may be quiet or very violent, not in a normal state of mind
Recovery Stage- exhaustion, may not remember events
Brenda Smith Myles & Anastasia Hubbard 2005
Everyone deals with lacking skills differently police usually called on the extreme end
Primary concerns for officers responding to Juveniles in Crisis
1. Public safety (threat to self or others) Emergency evaluation
2. Jeopardy (unsafe environment) = DHHS Parent is unable to control the child
3. Crime(s) committed = D.A.s’ Office/JCCO
4. Mental health/behavioral condition = Refer to crisis
Why Collaboration is Needed A juvenile in crisis call involves many
domains/agencies; Mental health/hospital/crisis DHHS Corrections District Attorney's Office Community Support Agencies Schools Police
Why Collaboration is Needed cont. Police officers acting in isolation and
failing to communicate with the appropriate support agency may be increasing the chance for a repetitive occurrence
Many of these calls are more appropriately handled by support agencies but they can only help if they know about the event.
Appropriate intervention and services often leads to better long term out comes in the juveniles behavior.
Primary Collaborative Partners District Attorney's Office Juvenile Corrections DHHS Crisis/Hospital Schools Community Support Groups Parent and Parent Support Groups Police Services
Collaboration with partners The officer should make every effort to
know and develop a positive working relationship with professionals from the various support agencies.
Absence any other tactic, personal professional ongoing dialog with support agency personnel helps to foster the best interagency working relationship leading to better coordinated service delivery for the juvenile in crisis.
To effectively respond to a juvenile in crisis call the officer should Recognize a juvenile in crisis Understand the surrounding/causal factors Document critical information Be familiar with local and state support
agencies Be prepared to communicate with support
agencies (in accordance with state privacy laws)
Possess a working knowledge of each agencies responsibilities and resources
Provide appropriate referral information to the parent
When responding to a juvenile in crisis call officers should do the following
Determine the nature of the call
Public safety Jeopardy Mental health Criminal Combination of the above
When responding to a juvenile in crisis call officers should do the following (Cont.)
Gather critical and appropriate information Make the scene safe Make a decision which action is most appropriate:
Transport for an emergency mental health evaluation Refer to crisis Refer to DHHS Provide support agency information to
parent/guardian Charge the juvenile Call the JCCO Combination of the above
Criminality/Behavioral Flow chart
Officer responds
to call
Criminal
And/or
Behavioralactivity
SummonsRefer to
JCCO
Need forDetention
JCCO releases or Detains
Call ADA if youDisagree
Contact JCCO
History of
Mental Illness
Or
Developmental
Disability
DATA
COLLECTION
CrisisEval
FamilyCrisis Plan
FamilySupports
PossibleOutcomes
HomeFamilyFriendsCrisis
Hospital
Detention(if charged)
Make the scene safe
Criminal Behavior VS.Behavioral Crisis
Any criminal behavior should be investigated along with any behavioral health concerns
Recognizing and addressing mental health and disabilities should result in less officer responses and a better future for the juvenile
Why capture information Police observation and information
gathering is essential because it gives a realistic unbiased picture of what is happening in the home at the time of the melt down/behavioral crisis
This is critical information for support agencies to be able to successfully intervene
Why to capture information (cont.) Police officers are in the unique position to
identify children at risk at an early stage Police intervention through
collaboration/communication with appropriate support agencies can expedite the delivery of critical services to the juvenile and family
Early intervention reduces the occurrence of increased disruptive/criminal behavior
Responding officers should avoid engaging in power struggles Power struggles may damage your rapport with the
youth or other youth who observe the interaction.
There are 4 common types of power struggles: The individual challenges your authority The individual pushes your buttons to shift
the attention from their behavior to you. Making threats or giving ultimatums. Bringing up non-pertinent and non-related
past history.
De-escalation Strategies With Children & Adolescents
Don’t get into a power struggle, focus on the 3 S’s1. Safety2. Support3. Stabilization of the biological,
cognitive and emotional status of the child
Approach slowly, create a calm and a sense of safe adult control
De-escalation Strategies With Children & Adolescents Scan for possible dangerous escape
routes or objects Physically position self in the least
threatening posture possible, but be prepared to move quickly
Simply introduce yourself and let the child know that you are there to help
Go slowly and try not to introduce any unnecessary strangers into the situation
De-escalation Strategies With Children & Adolescents (cont’d)
• Keep the child informed of what you are doing so as to reduce any startle response
• Use redirection if at all possible• Use ignoring and work not to be baited or
triggered by language, name calling and oppositional behaviors
• Assess the developmental age of the child. Don’t let chronological age fool you
De-escalation Strategies With Children & Adolescents Assess for any comforting individuals
or objects to build a relationship As the child stabilizes, check on the
basic needs as appropriate such food, liquids, blanket, comfort from a loved one…….
Know your own triggers when dealing with parents, teens and children
Officers should possess a thorough understanding Maine’s juvenile code Recognize the underlying premise of the
code is different than the adult code The district attorney's office and JCCO
approach juvenile cases with the goal of diverting out of the criminal justice system at the earliest opportunity (in all but the most serious offences)
Officers working with a misunderstanding of this process may become frustrated and disillusioned with the system
Dangers of Detention Can increase recidivism Increases risk of getting to know
other at risk youth (peer deviance) Makes mentally ill youth worse Increases risk of self harm Youth with special needs fail to
return to school Justice Policy Institute Barry Holman and Jason Ziedenberg
Title 15
1. Purposes. The purposes of this Part are:
A. To secure for each juvenile subject to these provisions such care and guidance, preferably in the juvenile's own home, as will best serve the juvenile's welfare and the interests of society; [1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).]
B. To preserve and strengthen family ties whenever possible, including improvement of home environment; [1977, c. 520, §1 (NEW).]
Title 15 cont. C. To remove a juvenile from the custody of the
juvenile's parents only when the juvenile's welfare and safety or the protection of the public would otherwise be endangered or, when necessary, to punish a child adjudicated, pursuant to chapter 507, as having committed a juvenile crime; [1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).]
D. To secure for any juvenile removed from the custody of the juvenile's parents the necessary treatment, care, guidance and discipline to assist that juvenile in becoming a responsible and productive member of society; [1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).]
Title 15 cont.
E. To provide procedures through which the provisions of the law are executed and enforced and that ensure that the parties receive fair hearings at which their rights as citizens are recognized and protected; and [1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).]
F. To provide consequences, which may include those of a punitive nature, for repeated serious criminal behavior or repeated violations of probation conditions. [1997, c. 645, §1 (NEW).]
Differences between Juvenile and Adult criminal code Adult code is punitive
Fine Imprisonment
Juvenile code is rehabilitative Assessments Referrals Treatment Punishment is last consideration
How Police Intervention can Help Improve Outcomes through diversion from Juvenile Justice
Police can help by: Recognizing difference between
criminality and behavioral crisis Identify possible need for
services
How Police Intervention can Help Improve Outcomes through diversion from Juvenile Justice Supporting/Empowering parents
in engaging services Gather appropriate information
for purposes of documentation and referral
Nationally 1 in 5 children and adolescents have a mental health disorder. (SAMHSA 2009)
1 in 10 have a serious emotional disturbance * (SAMHSA 2009) * Serious Emotional Disorder means that the disorder disrupts daily functioning in home, school or community.
Did you know ……
Did you know…. Mental Illness strikes individuals often during adolescence
and young adulthood. Metal illnesses are treatable. 50%-70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have at
least one diagnosable Mental/Behavioral Health issue 25% to 33% of these youth had Anxiety and Mood Disorders Nearly half of incarcerated girls meet criteria for PTSD 13.7% of youths aged 14-17 considered suicide in the past
year Only 36% of those at-risk children received mental health
treatment or counseling Youth who used alcohol or illicit drugs in the past year were
more likely to consider taking their own lives MHA 2002; SAMHSA 2002
High Risk Populations for Violence Previous history of violence Under influence or withdrawing from a
substance that has the potential to impair the brain.
Has impaired executive functions Is exhibiting symptoms of psychosis,
increases if command hallucinations present Male gender Has a neurological impairment Is exhibiting symptoms of dementia
High Risk Populations for Violence(continued) Has symptoms of antisocial or borderline
personality disorder Weapon availability and preoccupation with
violent thoughts Adolescent and early twenties (high risk for
suicide) Previous history of an attempted suicide that
had potential to be lethal More planning than impulsive Not allow chance of discovery No prefaced signal for help
Self Injurious Behavior Direct – deliberate, immediate self
harm Cutting, burning, hitting
Indirect/passive Refusing medical treatment Not taking medication Smoking/alcohol Putting self in harms way
Not suicidal or sexual in nature
Self Injurious Behavior (cont.) “Para-suicidal” behavior Wanting to feel better versus
wanting to feel nothing Self define between self injurious
behavior and suicidal behavior SIB is alternative to suicidal
behavior
Mental Illness Requires Treatment Due to the many influences on
children, the neurochemistry of the brain can change and their best efforts at sustaining balance are not enough. Medication or other therapeutic processes
may be required to restore balance. Punishments alone do not restore the brain
chemistry or improve behaviors in a child needing therapeutic interventions
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Inattention
Careless mistakes Difficulty paying
attention Not listening Failure to
complete tasks Easily distracted Forgetting Losing things
Hyperactivity Fidgeting Excessive movement Talkative Blurts out answers Impulsivity Interrupting others Intrudes upon others Cannot stay seated
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Pattern of negative, hostile and defiant behavior Symptoms include: Deliberately annoying Often angry Resentful Defies rules Argumentative
Conduct Disorder
Pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others and societal norms or rules are violated (according to age)
Symptoms include:
Aggression to people and animalsDestruction of propertyTheftTruancy, run away, violate curfew
Interventions for Disruptive Disorders
Interventions should address immediacy; instant gratification; distraction as an intervention
Depression in Children
Separation Anxiety Behavior problems Family history of mood disorder or
substance abuse Unrealistic fears/anxieties/phobias Drug and/or alcohol use Negativity/irritability Aggressiveness or overactive behavior
Bipolar Disorder in Children
Sleep disturbance and irritability dating from infancy
Separation anxiety Night terrors Phobias and/or school phobia Raging and tantrums
Bipolar Disorder in Children (Cont’d)
Oppositional behavior Rapid cycling of mood Sensitivity to stimuli Distractibility and hyperactivity Impulsivity and risk taking Grandiosity and aggressiveness
Interventions for Mood Disorders
Interventions support self regulation; de-escalation; identify triggers; using language to convey feelings
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Panic Disorder Phobic Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Panic attacks - significant physical symptoms to include pulse racing, hyperventilating, chest pain, dizzy, etc... Develop abruptly and reach peak within 10 minutes.
Phobic Disorder
Intense anxiety when faced with specific stressor (i.e. closed spaces, heights, insects, social situations).
In children, anxiety may be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, clinging.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Nightmares, hyper vigilance, feeling and reacting as if in the traumatic event, psychological distress at exposure to cues that resemble an aspect of the traumatic event.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions are thoughts, impulses or images that are experienced as intrusive and inappropriate and cause marked anxiety/distress.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors/mental acts the person feels driven to perform (i.e. hand washing, ordering, checking, counting, repeating phrases silently).
Interventions for Anxiety Disorders
Interventions address fears and increase comfort level; increase mastery over fear.
Types of Interventions for Mental Illness To improve behavior, thinking, and
brain biology problems, children and adults need several kinds of interventions: Biological (medications) Social (behavior plans) and educational (accommodations
and support) Substance abuse counseling
Barriers to Treatment Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among
15 to 24 year olds. Over 90% of children who die from suicide have a mental disorder
Among youth in juvenile justice facilities, 50% to 75% have mental illness
25% to 33% of these youth had Anxiety Disorders
or Mood Disorders
Barriers to Treatment (Cont’d)
• Frequently have more than one Co-occurring mental and substance use disorder
• Up to 80% of children suffering from mental illness fail to receive critically needed treatment
• Children receiving special education and designated with “emotional disturbance” fail more courses, earn lower grade point averages, miss more days of school and are retained at grade more than students in any other disability category.
Additional considerations for law enforcement
Suicide prevention Access to treatment Homelessness in Youth Substance Abuse Issues of Independence/development
and needing to feel accepted by peers Connection with community vs.
alienation
The Developmental & Physical Disability Spectrum
What are Developmental Disabilities?
Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of severe chronic conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. People with developmental disabilities have problems with major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living. Developmental disabilities begin anytime during development up to 22 years of age and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.
The Developmental & Physical Disability Spectrum
Autism Spectrum Disorder Mental Retardation Hearing Loss Cerebral Palsy Vision Impairment Brain Injury
What Is Autism?
A Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
On set by 36 months with serious to profound disturbances in language, social interactions, interest, and motor behaviors. Disturbance are highly repetitive, stereotypical and resistant to change.
What Is Asperger’s ?
Also a Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Intact language and intellectual development, but highly restricted capacity social and emotional interactions.
Mental Retardation
Limitation in functioning related to limited intelligence
IQ below 70 (90% mild MR) Issues relating to: communicating,
social skills and self care Affects 3 out of every 100 persons Important to consider developmental
age vs. chronological age when dealing with a youth with mental retardation.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and to maintain balance and posture. It is due to a nonprogressive brain abnormality, which means that it does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person's lifetime.
People with cerebral palsy have damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone. Muscle tone is the amount of resistance to movement in a muscle. It is what lets you keep your body in a certain posture or position.
Hearing Loss
Impairments in hearing can happen in either frequency or intensity, or both. Hearing loss severity is based on how well a person can hear the frequencies or intensities most often associated with speech. Severity can be described as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. The term “deaf” is sometimes used to describe someone who has an approximately 90 dB or greater hearing loss or who cannot use hearing to process speech and language information, even with the use of hearing aids. The term “hard of hearing” is sometimes used to describe people who have a less severe hearing loss than deafness.
Vision Impairment
Vision impairment means that a person's eyesight cannot be corrected to a "normal" level. Vision impairment may be caused by a loss of visual acuity, where the eye does not see objects as clearly as usual. It may also be caused by a loss of visual field, where the eye cannot see as wide an area as usual without moving the eyes or turning the head.
Brain Injury
There are two types of brain injury: Traumatic brain injury and Acquired brain injury.
• Traumatic Brain Injury is a result of a direct blow to the head.
• About 50-70 % of all TBI are the result of car accidents. Other causes include:• Slips and falls• Violence• Sports related injuries
Brain Injury (Cont’d) An acquired brain injury is one that has occurred after
birth, and is not hereditary, congenital, or degenerative. Common causes of acquired brain injury include;
• Airway obstruction• Near drowning• Electrical shock• Lightening strike• Blood loss• Heart attack• Stroke• Aneurysm
Common Medications Used for Youth
If you hear a youth is on medications it should be treated as a
major indicator that there may be something else going on for this youth
Commonly Used Psychotropic Medications
Antidepressants- Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, Luvox Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Effexor
Mood Stabilizers/Antipsychotics- Abilify, Seroquel, Geodon, Zyprexa, Risperdal, Depakote, Lithium, Lamictal, Thorazine
Stimulants- Ritalin, Concerta, Ritalin LA, Focalin, Daytrana, Adderall, Vyvanse, Strattera
Commonly Used Psychotropic Medications Antianxiety- Buspar, Vistaril,
Ativan, klonopin, Valium, Xanax, Doxepin
Other- Clonidine, Tenex, Propranolol, Trazodone, Remeron, Melatonin, Benadryl.
This list is a simple compilation of the most common medications used at LCYDC (Kim Foster, NP, psychiatric provider at Long Creek
Gathering Information
It is important to start identifying and collecting
information for those youth in the realm of
behavioral Crisis
Information Sharing
Share information between (no consent needed unless indicated) Law enforcement DHHS *Hospital Crisis Services Non-emergency crisis (with consent*) Community Providers (with Consent) Schools (only with imminent threat)
*contact your regional crisis provider and discuss parameters of receiving
information re. with or without consent..
*Hospital When an officer transports a juvenile to the
hospital for an emergency mental health evaluation information sharing is critical Either a *written or verbal report of incident
should be provided for the hospitals review to assure evaluators fully understand the crisis
Self harming/threatening and violent behavior/statements should be noted
The child may be released prematurely if accurate information is not provided to the hospital
*written report with critical information is preferred
Red Flag Behaviors
Bullies Threatens Intimidates Used a weapon Physically cruel to
people Physically cruel to
animals Stolen property Destroyed property
Broken into someone home/car
Lies (cons) Stays out past
curfew Runs away Truant from school Plays with fire Acts out sexually
Demographics Date, time, location, case number of incident. Juvenile biographical information. Name, DOB,
height, address, weight, eyes color, hair color Juveniles general health/injuries. Parent/guardian-(denote relationship)
biographical information. Contacted yes/no. Describe behavior that generated the police
response. List possible criminal behavior committed.
(Felonies to be highlighted)* *JCCO/DA take special note of JV felony charges
Basic information to capture
What specific behavior generated the call
Parents concerns (juveniles behavior)
Include 911 call information and excited utterances about behavior and juvenile history
911 call information (cont.) The exited utterance on the
911 tape are critical because the information gained is important to the support agencies to intervene appropriately and gain an accurate understanding of the event.
911 call information cont. Statements made about behavior Statements made about medication Statements made about mental health
conditions Statements made about fear of the child Statements made about
assaults/threatening Statements made about parents inability
to control the child (out of control Juvenile)
Juvenile History
Number of times the police were called because of the child’s behavior? The last time/date? Very important to demonstrate the need for
additional services Would you consider the juvenile a threat
to self or others? Is the juvenile on probation/who is
his/her P.O.? Contacted yes/no.
Medications Diagnoses Current community services Case manager Educational information Other concerns in the family
Voluntary Information
Voluntary Information
Is the child receiving services (counseling) currently?
From what agencies? Who is the case manager(s)*? What medications is the child taking? What diagnosis does the child have?
* Often a child with have several case managers.
Voluntary Information cont What medications is the child taking? Last time medication was taken What diagnosis does the child have? How many times has your child had a
crisis evaluation? Does the child use drugs/alcohol? Where does the child attend
school/grade? Are juveniles associates/friends in
trouble with the law/school?
Voluntary Parent Questions
Do you have concerns for your child?
Please explain What additional services do you feel would help you/ juvenile/family?
Crisis Plan Many families who are receiving
support services may have a crisis plan The officer should ask to review the plan The officer should determine if the plan
appropriately identifies a crisis and the appropriate time to call the police (911)
The officer should work with the parent/agency to improve the plan if necessary
Crisis Plan (cont.) Many parents and social service agencies
have a fundamental misunderstanding of the role and abilities of the police
Crisis plans developed without input from police or an understanding of the police’s role often call for police intervention for misguided reasons
Parents may incorrectly call the police to discipline their child, take their child out of the home or frighten their child
Police officers should educate the parents about what the police can and cannot do
Officer Action
Officer action Explain why action taken or not taken Charged Yes/No Referred_________________________________
______ Emergency
evaluation_____________________________________
Mediated______________________________________
Family Support and Family Support and EngagementEngagement When parents feel like they When parents feel like they
are part of the problem-solving are part of the problem-solving team rather than “the team rather than “the problem” they are more likely problem” they are more likely to seek out treatment and skill to seek out treatment and skill building building
(results in less 911 calls)(results in less 911 calls)
How?How? Support Support CommunicateCommunicate EmpowerEmpower Knowledge and EducationKnowledge and Education
Criticism and Blame = RecidivismCriticism and Blame = RecidivismEncouragement and Education = Reduced Encouragement and Education = Reduced
Recidivism and Family InvestmentRecidivism and Family Investment
Response to Emotionally Disturbed Adult Is the subject a threat to self or
others Has the subject committed a crime Is the subject in a jeopardy situation Is the call a combination of the
above None of the above conditions apply
Protective Custody T 34-B 3862 Protective Custody If a subject is a threat to self or
others, they may be taken into protective custody and transported for an emergency mental health evaluation based upon this Maine Statute.
REFER to your handout
Officer can Voluntary transport
A voluntary transport precludes the Protective Custody Statute
Often assistance from family or friends is useful under this action
If a Crime is Committed Arrest and/or Summons the
Subject Transport to Correctional Facility Transport to a hospital for an
evaluation Once under arrest the officer must either maintain
custody until cleared by the mental health facility or bail the subject through either a bail bondsman or personal recognizance
Jeopardy Situation = unable to care of themselves Call your local Crisis Service for
evaluation Crisis will coordinate with other
agencies to provide needed care Crisis services state wide number 1-888-568-1112
Combination of Conditions
Which condition require immediate action and act accordingly. Life safety and/or the magnitude of the criminal act.
Multiple actions can be taken Arrest or Summons and
Protective Custody Summons and call Crisis Call crisis and disengage from
the subject if not imminent threat
No Threat, No Jeopardy, No Crime Disengage Call Crisis Services for Support if
appropriate Collaborate with family or friends
to assist Collaborate with community