Critical Intervention Points

This section of the model is designed to examine each of the critical decision making points within the juvenile justice processing continuum to identify where there are opportunities for improved collaboration, identification, diversion, and treatment for youth with mental health needs. Each of the critical intervention points is reviewed to provide general information on the point of contact, and an examination of the mental health needs and issues associated with that particular point in the continuum. The critical intervention points examined include: 

Initial Contact with Law Enforcement:  This includes the initial contact a youth has with the police at the time they are suspected of committing a crime. 

Intake (Probation or Juvenile Court):  This includes the point at which a youth is referred by law enforcement to juvenile court.  Often, the juvenile court intake function is the responsibility of the local probation department. 

Detention:  This includes the point at which a youth is placed in a secure detention setting. 

Judicial Processing:  This includes the point at which is a petition is filed in juvenile court, an adjudication hearing is held and the judge orders a disposition in the case. 

Dispositional Alternatives (Juvenile Correctional Placement or Probation): This includes a discussion of two dispositional alternatives- placement in a juvenile correctional facility or placement on probation supervision. 

Re-Entry:  This includes the point at which a youth is released from a juvenile correctional placement and returns home.