Program Description

Juvenile Mental Health Court, Los Angeles County, California

Overview

In response to the overwhelming mental health needs of youth involved in the juvenile justice system, Congressman Adam Schiff and Legislator Tony Cardenas worked to secure a state grant to start the Los Angeles County Juvenile Mental Health Court (JMHCt) in the fall of 2001. This grant is used to cover staff salaries (except for the alternate public defender). Services are provided through a variety of sources, including the Regional Center and other community-based organizations. This JMHCt is a full-time court that serves youth in Los Angeles County with an Axis I mental health disorder or an Axis II developmental disability. While there are no formal exclusionary criteria with respect to current charges, the team and judge use discretion when dealing with very serious felonies. The court uses a team approach to make decisions about new cases and to monitor the progress of youth. This team consists of the judge, district attorney, public defender, an alternate public defender, Department of Mental Health (DMH) psychologist, school liaison, probation officers, and a psychiatric social worker. The primary source of referrals for the court is post-adjudication from the Los Angeles delinquency/juvenile courts. Youth are screened by a consulting psychiatrist from UCLA for mental health issues. Typically a previous evaluation is available to the JMHCt for these youth. The consulting psychiatrist discusses the results of the screening with the JMHCt team. The court maintains an active caseload of approximately 70 youth. However, at its peak, the court has had as many as 90 youth on its caseload. Youth are involved with the court a minimum of two years.

The psychologist functions largely as a case manager, forming linkages with providers, and overseeing treatment and progress. Participating youth receive case management services and linkages to community-based mental health services, including medication and therapy. Many of these youth are at least temporarily detained in juvenile hall, which has a care unit for youth with mental illness. Most youth reside in group homes or with their family during their participation in the court. Participants are monitored through formal delinquency court review every 6 months as well as through judicial review in the JMHCt. The frequency of these reviews is tailored to meet the specific needs of each youth and may be as frequent as every week if appropriate. If reduced frequency of appearances is deemed to be an incentive to a youth, such action will be used by the court to encourage positive change. Upon successful completion of the program, petitions are routinely dismissed.

Program Contact

Juvenile Mental Health Court
Commissioner Christina Hill
201 Centre Plaza Drive
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Phone: 323-226-8916