Specialty Units

The Special Needs Unit (S.N.U.) helps youth who are on formal probation with a mental health diagnosis which could lead to more criminal behavior and affect their ability to follow probation guidelines. These youth often have traditional probation requirements such as attending school and not using drugs and alcohol, but they also must comply with therapeutic treatment. The youth and family receive wraparound services from community partners for therapeutic treatments, case management from specially trained probation officers and special attention from judges with extra review hearings.

Functional Family Therapy is an evidence-based clinical therapeutic counseling model. Licensed counselors work directly in a youth’s home. Counselors aid at-risk youth and their families to effectively communicate and to change family dynamics which allows families to solve their own problems once the therapist exits the scene. In-home counseling removes obstacles to participation which allows all family members that contribute to overall family functioning to participate in therapy. Youth on formal probation are often referred to F.F.T. programs as well as those in some diversion programs.

The Sex Offender Unit works with court referred youth that are on probation for at least two years for sexually related offenses or have identified sexual behavior problems. Specially trained probation officers maintain intensive supervision with the youth that address their serious treatment needs and their potential risk to victimize others. Youth also receive counseling provided by master’s or doctoral level clinical staff.

The Front End Diversion Initiative (F.E.D.I.) assists youth with minor offenses that have a mental health diagnosis. Similar to the mental health court, successful completion of the FEDI program seals a juvenile record which discourages further court involvement. FEDI probation officers develop a treatment plan with youth that includes mental health services, community agencies involvement, collaboration with school personnel, and other specialized services.