Supplemental Topics in MRSS: The Intersection of MRSS & Law Enforcement

Presented by Sarah Becker

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This course will provide an overview of one of MRSS’s key aims – diverting youth from juvenile justice involvement, with the most likely entry point to the system being when law enforcement intervenes with youth. By adopting the national youth MRSS best practice of responding without law enforcement unless essential for safety reasons, Ohio MRSS specifically minimizes the potential of a youth with emotional and behavioral challenges having (often traumatizing or re-traumatizing) contact with law enforcement. MRSS also offers many opportunities to intervene with youth who are at “turning points” – points that without an alternative response are associated with an ever-increasing likelihood that a youth will become involved or further involved with the juvenile justice system and experience other adverse outcomes including death by suicide. The course also will describe the disproportionate use and impact of juvenile justice involvement for historically marginalized communities, including for Hispanic and Black and African American youth.

Although MRSS seeks to avert youth from juvenile justice involvement, MRSS recognizes that law enforcement and other first responders are essential parts of the crisis response system. This course will discuss the necessity of MRSS strong partnerships with local law enforcement and other first responders.

2 CEs available to Social workers, Counselors and MFTs