Juvenile justice mental health services

The origins of juvenile justice and child psychiatry in the United States are intertwined. The first juvenile court began in 1899 in Cook County, Illinois. Recognizing the need for further assistance in addressing issues with delinquents, the court, lead by Judge Pickney, called for professional consultation to help in its work. With the support of local philanthropist Ethel Dummer, Dr. William Healy opened the Juvenile Psychopathic Institute in 1909 to provide assistance to the court. Dr. Healy went on to create the Judge Baker Clinic in Boston in 1917. These early efforts helped form the basis of the child guidance movement, with the establishment of clinics in other cities through the Commonwealth Fund in 1921. Although there have been many changes for juvenile justice and child psychiatry over the years, the need for mental health services with delinquent youth remains.