Advocating for mental health services in juvenile justice facilities
July 13, 2026
APA Services submitted comments to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights calling for a rehabilitative focus for justice-involved youth
Our focus
- Criminal justice, policing, and mental and behavioral health
APA Services advocates at the federal, state, local level to apply psychological science to address issues at the intersection of behavioral health and criminal justice/policing. Our association supports evidence-based reforms to our nation’s criminal justice and policing systems that recognize the historical trauma impacting many communities of color and people with disabilities. - Promote community policing / invest in crisis intervention and mental health response team
APA is a strong proponent of efforts to promote community policing programs as well as community-based, crisis intervention teams and mental health response teams. These initiatives can play key roles in deescalation practices to achieve better outcomes as well as linking persons in mental health crisis to appropriate services and supports. - Federal courts and prisons improvement
APA supports increasing resources for behavioral health programming in incarcerations; pilot programs and expanding innovation efforts, followed by disseminating lessons learned and effective practices; reducing the use and harmful effects of restrictive housing; and policies to support adherence to treatment plans. - Juvenile justice focus on prevention and diversion
APA Services advocates to prioritize prevention programs and policies that identify and serve at-risk juveniles and their families; emphasize diversion for justice-involved youth with behavioral health needs; limit justice-involved youth from being housed in adult secure facilities; and support the adoption of evidence-based screening, assessment, and treatment of behavioral health needs. - Strengthen data collection / bolster research
APA Services calls for reestablishing a Science Advisory Board at the Department of Justice to help bridge the divide between research and practice in criminal justice fields. APA research priorities also include robust funding for the National Institute of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, and COPS.
Our efforts on this issue advance the following advocacy priorities:
- Criminal justice
- Science infrastructure and regulatory environment
- Violence and suicide prevention
Psychological research can provide direction for law enforcement efforts to reduce crime and increase community trust
What you can do
Related issues
Contact us
Ben Vonachen
Senior Director of Congressional and Federal Affairs
Email APA Advocacy Officeopens in new window
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