Leveraging Technology to Increase Behavioral Health Services Access for Youth in the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems: a Cross-systems Collaboration Model

Abstract

Behavioral health services access for justice- and child welfare-involved youth is limited despite significant need. Structural interventions to address limited access are nascent. Technology can advance access, but few interventions focus on system-impacted youth and their mental health needs and challenges. This article describes the development, process, and initial outcomes of the Youth Justice and Family Well-Being Technology Collaborative (JTC) that was formed to leverage technology within and across public health and justice-related systems to promote increased behavioral health services access. Cross-system considerations are identified for public health, court, and other key stakeholders to successfully integrate technology into practice to expand access to these critical services.