Just for Youth: Advocating for Youth in the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services

The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee's DYS Project has released the on-line version of the Third Edition of "Just for Youth: Advocating for Youth in the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services." This edition incorporates changes in DYS policy and practice, explanation of the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative services for MassHealth recipients under age 21 with serious emotional disturbance, recent state law developments, and other updated information. The book is accessible via the project's web page, click on the Go To Website link below.  A printed version of the book is forthcoming. The book provides a detailed analysis of the rights of youth detained or committed to the Mass. Department of Youth Services and focuses particularly on rights regarding education and mental health services. The book covers rights in facilities and in the community.

The webpage link also provides links to our DYS Project flyer (in English and Spanish) and DYS Project newsletters. The webpage soon also will include a set of free-standing checklists for families to guide them through the juvenile justice system and DYS.