Crossover Youth: Terminological Framework, Empirical Findings, and a Practice Model
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47152/ziksi2026022Keywords:
crossover youth, dually involved youth, child welfare system, juvenile justice, delinquencyAbstract
This paper focuses on children and youth involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, a population referred to in the international literature by different terms, including crossover youth, dual system youth, and dually involved youth. The aim of the paper is to clarify the key terminology, systematize empirical findings on factors associated with the delinquent and justice-related outcomes of this population, and present the Crossover Youth Practice Model as an example of a coordinated institutional response, based on a review of relevant literature. The paper points out that these terms are not always used consistently in the literature, which makes it difficult to compare findings and clearly define the population to which the studies refer. The review of empirical findings shows that the delinquent and justice-related outcomes of children and youth in the child welfare system cannot be explained by a single factor, but should instead be understood through the interaction of experiences of abuse and neglect, sociodemographic characteristics, especially gender and age, as well as placement characteristics and experiences within the child welfare system. The paper highlights the importance of recognizing this population at an early stage, ensuring information sharing between systems, providing stable support, and coordinating intervention planning.
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