Juvenile Court Clinic Operations (JCCO)
Operating in Norfolk and Suffolk Counties in Massacusetts
William James College (WJC) operates Juvenile Court Clinics (JCC) under an agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Trial Court of Massachusetts. WJC staffs the JCC covering Norfolk County while the JCC covering Suffolk County is jointly staffed by WJC and DMH. The JCC provide court-ordered evaluations of youth and families in Care and Protection cases (alleged child maltreatment), Delinquent and Youthful Offender cases, Child Requiring Assistance cases (runaway, truancy, stubborn child, habitual school offender, sexually exploited child), and Involuntary Civil Commitment for urgent inpatient psychiatric care or substance abuse treatment.
Mission
- To provide highest quality clinical and forensic evaluations for the Juvenile Court to rely upon in making life-altering decisions in cases referred by judges for evaluations by the Juvenile Court Clinic.
- To facilitate access to behavioral health care for children and families with unmet needs.
- To broadly support access of youth and families to positive youth development assets, preferably in the communities in which they live.
Services and Who We Serve
- Highest quality and clinically/forensically sound evaluations for youth and families referred by the Juvenile Court to the Juvenile Court Clinics in Suffolk and Norfolk Counties.
- Provide case formulations, recommendations and referrals that are responsive to the often complex needs of court-involved youth and families.
Methods
The William James College Juvenile Court Clinic Operations incorporate “best practice” approaches to juvenile forensic mental health practice including:
- Implementation of evidence-based screening and assessment tools
- Identification, development, and implementation of cultural competencies required for a highly diverse urban population
- Offering evidence-based short-term interventions
The William James College Juvenile Court Clinic Operations build upon community collaborations and resources to support access to positive youth development assets to improve:
- Outcomes in education
- Personal and community safety
- Access and utilization of medical and behavioral health care
- Engagement in positive community activities
- Relationships with positive adults and peers
Providers
The JCCO’s forensic clinicians collaborate with state agencies, community providers, and schools to access behavioral health, medical, educational, and other services for court-involved youth and families. A Juvenile Forensic Case Manager facilitates implementation of recommendations made by the clinicians for court-involved youth and family, focusing upon access to community-based behavioral health, medical, educational, social services, recreational, and other positive youth development activities.