PEER Report #279

A REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT OF THE OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, May 26, 1992, 22 pages

The Department of Human Services (DHS) incorporated the formerly independent Department of Youth Services as a result of 1989 legislation reorganizing certain executive branch agencies.

The merger of Youth Services did not reduce duplication and fragmentation of children’s services, as was suggested by the 1988 Governor’s Reorganization Commission proposal.

• Youth Services’ annual administrative personnel costs increased by $109,000.
• Multiple levels of DHS management control hampered the Office of Youth Services, with personnel, purchasing, and budgeting functions becoming more complex.
• Youth Services’ control by a gubernatorial appointee diminished the office’s ability to focus on serving delinquent youth. Youth Services must compete for resources with other statewide priorities of the Governor (e.g., education, economic development).
• The level of in-service training provided to Youth Services employees decreased.

For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.