Juvenile Diversion

Juvenile Diversion Programs

ASSESSMENT:

Upon referral, clients will complete a comprehensive mental health assessment, at the completion of the mental health assessment recommendations for treatment will be made and an individualized service plan addressing identified needs, will be developed with the client and parent/guardian. In instances in which the client is identified as low risk, they will be recommended to group therapy addressing issues through a cognitive behavioral therapy and prevention based approach.

Should additional and/or alternative issues be identified in the mental health assessment (such as family system issues, drug and alcohol issues, moderate to high risk sexual behavior issues, etc.) additional recommendations will be made. Potential recommendations could include individual counseling, family therapy, drug and alcohol assessment with the possibility of subsequent treatment, and a referral to a program addressing moderate to high risk behavior issues. A combination of treatment modalities may be recommended depending upon the client's needs. The goal of treatment is a comprehensive approach that will assist clients and their families in fully addressing all treatment issues and leading a healthy productive life.

TREATMENT:

Treatment providers will work closely with the Juvenile Court System and provide updates around progress and compliance in treatment. In instances where clients are noncompliant with treatment, recommendations may be made related to the need for consequences or alternative treatment approaches.

A treatment approach will be taken addressing both the parent/guardian and adolescent. Research indicates that addressing these issues from both a parental perspective and adolescent perspective increases the success of treatment.

The following are examples of topics that will be addressed on either a group, individual or family level depending upon the client's needs:

For teens: Anger Management, Stress Management and Coping Skills, Preventing or Interrupting Criminal Thinking Patterns, Substance Abuse and Addiction Awareness, Success and Failure Cycles, Communication with Peers and Adults.

For parents: Adolescent developmental, Parenting Styles, Family patterns, Effective consequences, Intervening on unruly and delinquent behavior, Anger Management, Stress Management and Coping Skills, Effective Communication, Role modeling.