Jefferson Center for Mental Health -

Juvenile Justice Programs

At Jefferson Center, we understand that becoming involved with the legal system can be a confusing and frightening time for youth in crisis and their families. It is even more difficult for those whose child/youth also has a serious emotional disturbance or mental illness. Families are faced with navigating complex systems at a time when they may also be first learning about mental illness and treatment. Often they don’t know where to turn for help and do not have access to appropriate services.

A variety of programs and educational tools are available through Jefferson Center that

provide access to clinical assessment and services,
help link youth and families to community resources, and
prevent further involvement deeper into the juvenile justice system.

Youth who are involved in Juvenile Justice Systems have higher rates of mental health disorders than youth in the general population. By addressing their mental health needs in a coordinated and effective manner, they may often be diverted from deeper involvement in the juvenile justice system, while being linked with appropriate mental health services. The goal of Jefferson Center’s Juvenile Justice Programs is to increase access to mental health care for youth involved in the legal system, and help decrease delinquency and criminal behavior.

TurnAbout

A partnership between Jefferson Center the Division of Youth Corrections and the Division of Mental Health that promotes positive mental health and safer communities, TurnAbout provides screening and assessment for mental health and substance abuse needs of youth entering Mount View Youth Services Center. While in detention, a strength-based assessment and service plan is initiated. Eligible youth may receive crisis intervention, group therapy, clinical case management and medication evaluation.

Upon release from detention, eligible youth may receive additional services. A TurnAbout therapist may provide in-home family or individual therapy; psychiatric services are also available. Clinical case managers may provide referrals to area providers for substance abuse treatment, anger management, adolescent offender groups and other wraparound services including educational and vocational programs that can prevent deeper involvement into the juvenile justice system.

TurnAbout has expanded its ability to reach additional youth that have involvement with the Juvenile Justice System through the Felony Fast Track Program.

Crossroads

Designed for youth with mental health needs who also may have a substance abuse issue, Crossroads provides youth and their families with professional support/structure in a safe, accessible and welcoming setting. The program serves youth who are on probation with the 1st Judicial District or youth who are at risk or involved in the Juvenile Justice system. Services are designed to help youth establish healthy relationships with peers and family, build positive social interactions and goal setting and equip them with the life skills they need to transition into adulthood. Individual, group and family therapy (including home visits), substance abuse counseling, case management, and medication evaluations are all available to youth. A variety of groups are offered: substance abuse, aggression replacement training, anger management, process and gender specific.

Juvenile Justice Behavioral Healthcare (JJBHAC) Advisory Committee

Jefferson Center is the lead agency of JJBHAC Advisory Committee, a coalition of key stakeholders, including youth, parents and agency representatives, working together to address the system-wide issues surrounding youth with mental health issues. The coalition develops recommendations that guide efforts for systemic changes and strives to educate the community about issues related to youth involved in the juvenile justice system.We currently offer Juvenile Justice trainings, “Is Your Kid in Trouble? Everything You Wanted to Know About the Juvenile Justice System...But Didn’t Know What to Ask” twice a year. For information about the next training visit our website at www.jcmh.org.

The mission of the Juvenile Assessment Center (JCJAC) is to provide and maintain a single point of entry utilizing a centralized facility for individualized processing, assessing, screening, and referring of at-risk juveniles and juvenile offenders. JCJAC provides a wide range of services through a collaborative effort between Juvenile Assessment Center Staff, Jefferson Center, the1st Judicial District's Attorney's office, Jeffco Public Schools., Jefferson County Division of Human Services, local law enforcement and 1st Judicial Courts For more info call (303) 271-4567 or visit www.jeffcojac.org.

The Juvenile Mental Health Court is a multiagency collaborative that addresses the mental health needs of youth involved in the juvenile justice system in a coordinated manner, in order to link youth and their families with appropriate mental health services while preventing deeper involvement in the juvenile justice system. A Jefferson Center mental health “Navigator” provides assessment and consultation to the mental health court team, and intensive case management for the youth and family. The authority of the court is utilized to ensure that offenders with mental illness follow through with mental health treatment and supports, supports the engaging of both juveniles and their families in treatment and holds participants accountable for their actions. The program currently serves 10-12 adolescents and their families for an average of 8- 12 months.

Juvenile Justice System Training

Everything you always wanted to know about the Juvenile Justice System . . . but didn’t know what to ask. For more information about Juvenile Justice Training, contact Cammy at (303) 432-5238.

Special Thanks to Our Funders

Colorado Department of Public Safety
Division of Criminal Justice
Juvenile Accountability Block Grant
Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention