Since 2006, the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS), Massachusetts’ juvenile justice agency has contracted with IHR for expertise, including technical assistance, training, and policy development, regarding substance use disorder treatment services for youth ages 13–18, and in some cases up to 21, who are committed to DYS. Youth committed to DYS reside both in DYS facilities and in communities, with their families. The high rate of substance use and abuse among young people involved in the juvenile justice system speaks to the need for a consistent approach to substance use within DYS. IHR staff in each DYS region (Northeast, Southeast, Metro Boston, Central and West) work closely with their community District and Satellite offices to ensure that DYS youth living in the community are able to access the treatment services they need. RAYS staff work with community substance use and mental health providers in each region to identify services that will appropriately serve adolescents and their families.
RAYS staff have also assisted DYS with the development of policies that address the prevention and treatment of substance use, with the development of curricula to be offered in DYS facilities, and with placement for individual youth, including placing youth in state-supported residential treatment programs. The project has facilitated increased family involvement for DYS youth through the curriculum Parent Time.
The RAYS team provides support to individual youth and their families, ensuring that placement and services address DYS’s mission to rehabilitate youth with criminal histories and to ensure community safety.
For more information, please contact Katharine Thomas, IHR Assistant Director, RAYS Project Director.