How the JAC works


Goals
The goals of the Weld County Juvenile Assessment Center are as follows..
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  • Identify youth with needs in our community.
     
  • Maximize community partnerships and collaborative efforts designed to serve youth.
     
  • Enhance public safety and well-being.
     
  • Provide a free and efficient method for assisting youth engaged in at-risk behavior.
     
  • Save police officer time by providing a safe drop-off site for juveniles.
     
  • Serve as a resource for the community regarding youth-related issues and concerns.
 
Referrals
Juveniles can be referred to the JAC many different ways, including:
  • Law enforcement officers that bring juveniles to the JAC because they have committed a crime, run away, or are beyond the control of their parents.
     
  • Schools can refer students who have been suspended, expelled or for truant behavior.
     
  • Families, friends and neighbors can use the services of the JAC to help them with kids in conflict.
 
How an assessment works
Once at the JAC, the youth are assessed for individual needs which may include drug and alcohol usage, mental health issues, educational needs and family problems. This assessment will help determine a plan and what services are most appropriate for each, individual person.

During the assessment JAC staff will meet with the parents or guardian and the youth to discuss the issues that brought them in. After a brief discussion a JAC staff member will conduct the needs assessment with the youth in private and discuss any concerns the youth may have over the circumstances resulting in their coming to the JAC.   Another staff member remains with the parent or guardian to obtain historical information or behavioral trends of their child, dynamic of the home and ideas to resolve concern issues.

Once the assessment is completed and the youth and staff have discussed the issues at hand, everyone reconvenes to discuss the results of the assessment and which resources may be helpful.  JAC staff attempts to put a plan in place with every family. Staff may also recommend a variety of resources available in the community that may be able to help the youth and family.

A staff member will follow up with the youth and their family in one to two weeks after the appointment and up to four months thereafter.
Services
Once the assessment is complete, the juvenile and their family may be referred to agencies whose services will best fit their needs.  These services may include restorative justice, mediation, case management, drug and alcohol counseling, mental health treatment, life skills training or parenting classes. 
 
Benefits
Juvenile Assessment Centers have a proven track record and provide several benefits to the community.
  • Efficiency - By utilizing a multi-agency, single-site location, in which experienced evaluators can obtain comprehensive information about a young person, the referral process is streamlined and duplication of efforts is minimized.
     
  • Safety - By determining problem issues early in the process, intelligent decisions can be made and support services can be identified and put into place to provide maximum assistance.
     
  • Outreach - By identifying issues within a family unit, the JAC can provide relevant resources to all its members. 





"Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community."                                            -Anthony D'Angelo

About the JAC

Success Stories

Collaborative Management Project