Sharing information will allow service providers to more efficiently determine the level and type of services juveniles need by avoiding redundancy of service and conflict in treatment approach. A central database of information regarding delinquent, at-risk, and dependent juveniles would eliminate the need for multiple agencies serving a single juvenile to collect the same information and might also eliminate the need for each of these agencies to obtain a release to gather the information needed to serve that juvenile. Additionally, sharing information can facilitate services and treatment, improve decisionmaking and feedback concerning juveniles, and ensure that children do not fall through the gaps in civil society into the world of drugs, gangs, and juvenile delinquency. For example, such a program would allow the formation of a treatment team to address the needs of a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent for threatening a public official. Information sharing is an effective tool for those who deal with at-risk and delinquent juveniles.
Agencies can use a great many methods for sharing information.
This Bulletin offers an overview of what is necessary to establish and maintain an interagency information-sharing program.