Specialized Caseload Programs

Juvenile Drug Court

Juvenile Drug Court targets juvenile offenders referred for substance abuse offenses and assists these youth and their families to become successful in leading drug-free, law-abiding, productive lives.  The Drug Court Program seeks to address both the issues that lead to drug use and the drug use itself.  The program offers eligible youth a voluntary opportunity to receive substance abuse treatment as an alternative to being placed on formal probation for the law violation.  A wraparound service treatment model is utilized to provide the services that youth and their families need to be successful, such as counseling/therapy, drug treatment, drug education and family preservation services.

Juvenile Offending Caseload

The Juvenile Offending Caseload provides specialized probation supervision as well as an oversight of court-ordered treatment for juveniles adjudicated for sex offenses.  Juveniles on this caseload are expected to participate in a nine-to-12 month program of mandatory treatment that includes individual, family and group therapy.  Attendance at treatment sessions is closely monitored by specialized probation officers and by a licensed sex offender treatment provider.  Family members are required to attend specific family treatment sessions to assist their juvenile in working on issues to avoid re-offending.  Supervision of the case may last up to two years and requires adherence to a specific set of conditions for supervision.

Family Partnership Program (FPP)

The FPP is a collaborative partnership between Mental Health Mental Retardation of Tarrant County (MHMR) and Tarrant County Juvenile Services to provide intensive, home-based services for juveniles on probation with mental health needs.  FPP operates from a team-focused, strength-based platform, employing a team that consists of a juvenile probation officer, a therapist, and family members.  FPP offers an additional pathway to serve more intense mental health needs of youth through a contract with MHMR to provide an in-home array of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies to assist youth and families in removing mental and emotional barriers to successful functioning.

Placement

Residential placement of youth on probation is utilized when less restrictive efforts to gain compliance and achieve law abiding behaviors have been ineffective.  Prior to placing a child, community supervision and resources will have been utilized to impact the youth's behavior.  Placement decisions are based upon evidence of a significant history of delinquency referrals, an essential need for rehabilitative services not available in the community, or the possibility of being ordered to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.  Youth placed at the expense of the department must be on formal probation.

In selecting a placement program, significant consideration is given to matching the juvenile's needs with the facility most able to address those needs, which may include legal, social, psychological, educational or medical needs.

Shared Visions for Success (SVS)

Shared Visions for Success is a partnership between Tarrant County Juvenile Services and Child Protective Services (CPS) to increase coordination and service delivery for youth who are dually engaged in juvenile justice and the Department of Family and Protective Services.  The program emphasizes joint assessment, case planning and shared communication to remove barriers for families and enhance the well-being and functioning of families and youth at risk for continued and future involvement with these agencies.