Date of Award

5-2021

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Lanesskog, Deirdre.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to identify which supportive services and treatments are aiding minority crossover youth in child welfare. Literature has stated that minority crossover youth are overrepresented in the child welfare system in comparison to their white counterparts. Literature has also stated that crossover youth make subsequent contact with the adult prison systems due to child welfare involvement and other factors. Factors including prolonged group home placements and lack of rapport with mental health providers. Mental health providers lacking cultural competence and trauma-informed practice can negatively impede crossover youth from learning positive, adaptive coping mechanisms that can mitigate delinquent behaviors.

This research study used an exploratory, qualitative design. Data gathered consisted of one on one interviews with six child welfare workers and probation officers. Participants in the study have worked for counties in Southern California in child welfare or juvenile probation for at least a year and have worked directly with crossover youth. During the interviews, the researchers asked questions regarding their professional experiences working directly with crossover youth. The researchers focused on treatments and services to help crossover youth. Four themes emerged from the interviews: agency politics, rapport building, treatments and services, and macro barriers.

Our findings suggest that services offered to youth vary based on the institution taking the lead on the case; suggesting discrepencies in treatment based on case assignment. Similarly, our findings suggest tthat there is not enough funding for child welfare workers and probation officers to provide crossover youth with the proper treatments and services that they needed. It is clear that changes must be made at a federal and state level in order for funding to be made readily available for dual status youth, and staff that work directly with dual status youth in order to help mitigate the barriers assosicated with this population.

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