Santa Cruz County Juvenile Services
Since 1989, Santa Cruz County's Juvenile Probation Division has been a key partner with Children's Mental Health in the California System of Care (SOC). The SOC was established by the Children's Mental Health Services Act to create a service delivery system that is community-based, comprehensive, and distinguished by full integration of interagency partners. Services are provided to children and their families who are at risk of seperation due to Court ordered out-of-home placement.
System of Care
Essential values of the SOC are as follows:
Family Preservation
Family Preservation - children shall be maintained in their homes with their families whenever possible.
Interagency Collaboration
Interagency collaboration and coordinated service delivery system - the primary child serving agencies shall collaborate at the policy management and service levels to provide a coordinated, goal directed system of care for seriously emotionally disturbed children and their families.
Least Restrictive Setting
When out-of-home placement is necessary, children must be placed in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs.
Natural Setting
Children benefit most from mental health services provided in their natural environments, where they live and learn.
Family Involvement
Family participation is an intregal part of assessment, evaluation, and treatment.
Cultural Competence
Service effectiveness is dependent upon both culturally revelant and competent service delivery.
Balanced and Restorative Justice
All juvenile programs and services were developed and implemented with the SOC values as fundamental guideposts. Balanced and restorative justice encompasses an alternate framework for the juvenile justice system that acknowleges three primary stakeholders: the victim, the community, and the odffender; the goals being accountability, competency building, and public safety.
Detention Reform
In 1999, Santa Cruz County Probation became a model site for the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI). The initiative seeks to eliminate the unnecessary use of secure detention; utilize data-driven decision making; improve court processing; develop risk-based detention criteria; increase the use of community-based detention alternatives; improve conditions of confinement; and reduce disproportionate minority contact (DMC). Many of the programs in the Juvenile Continuum of Services are designed to help meet the goals and objectives of the JDAI.