Assertive Youth Engagement: A Model for Justice-Involved Minority Male Youth with Mental Illness

The Encouraging Innovation: Field-Initiated (FI) Program is funded under the Edward Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation program and a carve out from the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program that is aimed at combating extraordinary or precipitous increases in crime. The FI Program furthers the Department’s mission by trying new approaches, addressing gaps in responses, building or translating research knowledge, or building capacity to address the issues that bring fresh perspectives and ideas to enhance practices and prevent crime in the field.

The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES) will utilize grant funds to develop and test an innovative model, the Assertive Youth Engagement (AYE), to improve the engagement in community-based treatment among minority male youth who have mental illness and who are involved in the criminal justice system. This target population experiences a complex constellation of risks and needs that can contribute to a high risk for recidivism and antisocial or aggressive behavior that contribute to low rates of engagement in outpatient mental health treatment. The AYE model proposes improvements to effective treatment that promote rehabilitation and recovery, reductions in recidivism, as well as addressing other needs that may otherwise negatively impact education, employment, and other gainful opportunities. CA/NCF