Department of Youth Services

This chapter focuses on the House of Representatives’ FY06 budget recommendations for the Department of Youth Services (DYS). For additional information on the impacts of FY01–FY05 budget cuts and more details about program services, go to the People First website at www.mass.gov/mddc/peoplefirst/index.html and click on the DYS chapter in the Volume I table of contents.

HOUSE BUDGET OVERVIEW

The House budget proposes a total of $139,907,688 for DYS in FY06, which is $4,428,695 (3%) less than in H1 for FY06. House budget funding for residential programs for detained youths (line item 4200-0200) and community programs for committed youth (line item 4200-0100) are 1.8% and 1.4% higher, respectively, than FY05 allocations—possibly less than maintenance funding. The House budget proposal represents a major setback, compared to H1 for FY06, for the mental health and special education needs of DYS young people.

Large numbers of youths in DYS custody have serious psychiatric disorders, including depression and psychosis. Many are considered to be inappropriately placed at DYS. The problem is widely considered to be systemic and linked to underfunding of other systems, particularly the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Social Services. Approximately 40% of DYS students have Special Education plans. Inadequate educational programs at DYS have become another barrier to the rehabilitation of these youth.

Line Item Analysis

Account: Residential Services for the Detained Population
Line Item: 4200-0200

The Residential Services for the Detained Population account funds services for youths who have been charged with an offense and are awaiting the outcome of their cases. In addition to residential placement, DYS is also responsible for providing or accessing educational/vocational, clinical, and medical services for these youth.

FY06 Needs

For FY06, this account needs funding increases commensurate with growing populations and their increased level of need. Improving educational assessments and addressing the mental health needs of these youth through systemic change and a significant increase in resources is a major priority.

House Budget Recommendations

If one takes inflation into account, the apparent House budget increase of $345,500 over the FY05 budget is actually a decrease of .3%.¹ The House budget proposal is $389,058 less than in H1 for FY06.

Account: Residential Services for the Committed Population
Line Item: 4200-0300

The Residential Services for the Committed Population account funds residential placement for youths committed to DYS by the courts. DYS is also responsible for providing or accessing educational/vocational, clinical, and medical services for these youths. This account includes the Safety First Plan, which was established in FY05 to address the problem of suicide among DYS youth.

FY06 Needs

DYS has established the need for substantial funding increases to address gaps in mental health and education services and to sustain the Safety First Plan beyond FY05. The agency has outlined an initiative that includes adding intake staff; upgrading all clinical positions to appropriate licensing levels; increasing the number of staff for suicide watch on-call teams; adding a new training program; and improving facilities. Additionally, an estimated $2 million is needed to update the 5- year-old Medical Service Contracts, including the addition of psychiatric consults. Fully funding these suicide initiatives is critical for expanding youths’ access to quality mental health services.

House Budget Recommendations

The House budget funding of $95,467,061 is a 7.5% increase over FY05 spending, including supplemental budgets. However, the allocation is $3,397,195 (3.4%) less than in H1 for FY06. H1 for FY06 recommends an increase of $9.3 million for the Safety First Plan suicide prevention initiative, including funding for annualization of related services started in FY05. The House budget falls about $5.4 million short of annualizing the initiative. The House budget does not include the $2.5 million requested in H1 for FY06 for DYS educational services. DYS staff report that if these critical services are to be maintained, then there will be reductions in other services. These could include cutting the number of residential placements and reducing the length of stay.

1. Budget data comes from the Mass. Budget and Policy Center.