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January 2008
The first year of the new Alameda County Juvenile Collaborative Court was a great success. The purpose of the Court is to divert youth with mental health issues from the juvenile justice system. The Court does this by providing families with medical treatment services, educational and vocational opportunities, and other community supports.
In 2007, 13 juveniles aged 15 to 17 were enrolled in the program and only one had a subsequent offense. Also, all but one of the 13 are now living at home.
“The success Juvenile Collaborative Court shows that this is a promising practice for how juvenile courts should help youth with unmet mental health needs,” said Diane Bessette, of counsel to NCYL and the Court’s Civil Advocacy Coordinator. “Focusing on treatment and services to the youth and her/his family can have real results in keeping kids safe at home and on their way to a successful adulthood.”
NYCL's role in the Collaborative Court is to coordinate the civil advocacy component of the Court (representation on matters outside the juvenile court’s jurisdiction), and promote potential for diversion and access to mental health services. Most fundamentally, civil advocates improve access to resources and services. For example, NCYL and other advocates have been assisting youth in applying for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – both critical entitlements for adolescents in need of intensive mental health services. For a child who has no form of health insurance, obtaining Medicaid can mean the difference between being locked up in juvenile hall or living at home with a loving family supported by community-based health care. By providing better access to public benefits, civil advocates improve the chances of successful treatment and help stabilize families. In addition, NCYL provides advocacy in the area of special education, working with teachers and administrators to develop appropriate placements, programs, and transition plans.
NCYL also works in the same capacity with the juvenile collaborative court in Santa Clara County, known as the Court for the Individualized Treatment of Adolescents (CITA).
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