Family Court Services operates programs to meet the diverse needs of youth, families and the community. Through these programs, Court personnel aim to provide youth and families with new ways to cope, experience their potential, and assist youth in abstaining from delinquent behavior. Habilitation and rehabilitative services include: clear expectations and provide assistance in developing abilities to make good choices; recognize and experience individual potential; and opportunities to develop academic, vocational and life skills.

There are additional preventative programs in place, developed and operated in collaboration with agencies and volunteers that strive to build stronger families, more effective parents and thereby reducing risks for children. These programs offer a broad range of services directed toward community problems encompassing both children and families, addressing parenting skills, issues of substance abuse, sexual abuse, lack of employment skills and opportunities, and education concerns.

Family Court Services operates in a proactive manner servicing the needs of people and the justice system. Services are strategically distributed and located to allow convenient access to Jackson County residents. Schools as community bases and service agencies are utilized as conduits for both internal and external service delivery.

Through the implementation of a comprehensive research agenda, the Family Court strives to be empirically accountable to the community for delivering necessary and appropriate services to juveniles, families, and victims in the Jackson County community. Program evaluation efforts are aimed at developing and ensuring the quality of Family Court Services programs.

Program Goals:

• To protect the community's rights, safety, property, and interests;
• To protect the juveniles' rights and ensure safe, nurturing and learning-conducive environments;
• To hold juvenile offenders accountable for community and victim losses;
• To increase the competency and skills of juveniles and families to live lawfully and productively;
• To introduce, assist, and support community endeavors in identifying 'at risk' juveniles in providing appropriate, collaborative, and successful positive interventions;
• To be empirically accountable to the community for delivering necessary and appropriate services to juveniles, families, and victims coming to the attention of the Family Court.