Prevention

Service Description

The JAC offers prevention services which seek to prevent/reduce juvenile delinquency through the provision of effective services and interventions to youth exhibiting at-risk behaviors.  By building strong collaborative community partnerships and utilizing comprehensive assessments and evaluations, services are designed to help youth resolve underlying issues that may contribute or lead to delinquency and/or escalating behaviors.

Service Goals

1. To enhance public safety through early intervention, comprehensive assessment, and referral to supportive services designed to address each youth's individual needs.
2. To reduce the likelihood of youth's initial or further involvement in the juvenile justice system.

Referral Criteria

Generally, prevention services are offered to youth who have no formal contact with the juvenile justice system; or youth who have committed low to moderate status offenses and/or delinquent offenses that are not currently under the jurisdiction of the 16th Circuit Court.  Additionally, youth facing mental health challenges, trauma, substance abuse, and family dysfunction can also access services.

Benefits

Prevention services are provided to youth ages 17 and under experiencing the following risk factors.  This list is non-exhaustive and other risk factors may apply.  Please contact the JAC by calling the number listed below for assistance.

• trauma
• conflict/anger and behavioral issues
• mental health challenges
• curfew violations
• truancy/poor academic performance
• delinquency
• family dysfunction/parenting issues
• substance abuse
• domestic violence
• suicide risk
• homelessness
   

Access to Services

Referrals are received through the following sources:

• Warrant Desk (Attorney for the Juvenile Officer)
   
• Case Assessment Unit
   
• Law Enforcement (Social Workers)
   
• Walk-ins and Care Calls
   
• Schools

Who is Eligible?

• Youth ages 17 and under who have no formal contact with the juvenile justice system.
   
• Youth ages 17 and under with low to moderate status offenses and/or delinquent offenses that are not currently under the jurisdiction of the 16th Circuit Court.

Hours of Operation