Program Description

Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic Model, Illinois

Overview

The Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic began as a collaborative project between the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern University School of Law, and the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Initially created as the Clinical Evaluation and Services Initiative (CESI), a multidisciplinary evaluation and intervention project, it was designed to evaluate and improve the acquisition and use of clinical information in juvenile court. In June 2003, the CESI model was expanded and resulted in the redesign of the Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic and is now funded by Cook County.

It consists of four units (Clinical Coordination, Education and Intervention Resources, Clinic Administration, and Program Evaluation) and is managed by a single director who oversees a multidisciplinary staff consisting of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and lawyers. The Clinical Coordination Unit (CCU) handles requests for clinical information. Forensic clinical assessments can only be initiated by court order. After a family has been ordered to undergo a clinical evaluation, a clinical coordinator facilitates the process, which includes evaluating the information request, documenting the request, and arranging an intake interview. The assessment is written by a clinician, who is usually a psychologist or psychiatrist, and is delivered to court before the family’s next court date. The information contained in the assessment is used by judges, lawyers, and probation officers to help make informed decisions that promote better outcomes for minors and their families.

The Juvenile Court Clinic has the responsibility for providing a variety of services to judges and court personnel regarding clinical information in juvenile court proceedings. These services include consultation regarding requests for clinical information, forensic clinical assessments in response to court-ordered requests, information regarding community-based mental health resources, and education programs on issues relating to mental health information and court proceedings. A clinical coordinator present in the courtroom is able to provide guidance to judges and probation staff about whether an evaluation is necessary or not. Judges can then divert youth with clinical needs into the community-based programs targeted for them.

During the disposition of a case, a clinical evaluation is often performed by court clinic personnel to aid in determining the type of post-adjudication intervention appropriate for the youth. Mental health and substance abuse needs can be identified during these evaluations thereby aiding the court in determining different dispositional alternatives.

References

Biehl, J. & Kahn, B. (2002) A practice model for acquiring and using clinical information in juvenile court. Youth Law News 12(2).

Site visit to program May 2002.

Program Contact

Julie L. Biehl
Director
Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic
2245 West Ogden Avenue
5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60612-4487
Phone: 312-433-6649