Reducing the Duration of Untreated Illness Among Youth in the Juvenile Justice System With Psychosis-Spectrum Disorders

Among adolescents in the Juvenile Justice System (JJS), an estimated 3% have a psychotic illness, and it can be reasonably assumed that many more experience subthreshold psychotic-spectrum symptoms that may be indicative of risk. Evidence suggests that as many as 25% of those with first episode psychosis (FEP) have their first contact with care through criminal justice agencies. Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), a negative prognostic factor, has been shown to be longer among those within the criminal justice system. This suggests that youth with psychotic symptoms who end up in the JJS may not receive appropriate mental health care. This study will first track mental health referrals for JJ youth with psychosis-spectrum symptoms in Phase 1, a standard care condition, and then an enhanced referral and linkage to care model will be investigated in Phase 2 of the study.

The current study will be conducted in the Rhode Island Family Court Juvenile Intake Department where all youth receive a mental health screen (Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument - 2nd Ed; MAYSI -2). All youth who screen positive on the MAYSI-2 Thought Disturbance scale, and a second gate screening with the Prodromal Questionnaire - Brief Version (PQ-B), will be given referral information for Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) services by JJS staff. Enrolled families will also participate in the research assessment, regardless of whether they pursue the CSC referral, which involves the Structured Interview for Psychosis-risk Syndromes [SIPS] and other measures to thoroughly assess history of psychotic symptoms, comorbid difficulties, and mental health care engagement. A comparison sample of youth who screen negative on the MAYSI-2 Thought Disturbance subscale will also be assessed with the SIPS to determine accuracy of the MAYSI-2/PQ-B screen in the identification of psychosis-risk. During the first phase of the study, JJS staff will follow standard procedures in referring youth to the state CSC. In the second phase of the study, JJS will be instructed in an enhanced referral/linkage to care protocol, including a "warm hand-off" where referrals will be put in direct and immediate contact with CSC staff. CSC staff will also be trained in procedures to increase the likelihood of follow through with the referral to the CSC. Three month follow-up qualitative interviews and quantitative assessments regarding referral pathways, bottlenecks and gaps in care, youth psychiatric symptoms, and JJS contacts will be conducted. This design maps onto the stated goals of PAR 16- 264 including: 1) Identify baseline rates of DUP within the JJS (and the investigators will also look at rates of psychosis-spectrum symptoms and disorders); 2) Map referral pathways to CSC; 3) Identify implementation and service level factors that create bottlenecks and gaps in linkage to the CSC; 4) Investigate the relationship between treatment linkage and psychotic symptoms/DUP; and, 5) Pilot test feasible strategies for reducing DUP.