Family and Juvenile Mental Health Program Goals

The Center for Families, Children and the Courts’ Family and Juvenile Mental Health program work is supported through Mental Health Services Act funds to strengthen the judicial branch’s response addressing the mental health needs of youth and families who are involved, or at risk for involvement, with the court system.
 

This is accomplished through the development of training, resources, information, data collection, and analysis.

  • Develop and provide interdisciplinary training with justice system partners, facilitate court-community planning, and provide technical assistance
  • Develop and update the Mental Health Youth Services Dashboard to showcase the mental health needs of youth in California
Goal 1: Increase the knowledge and awareness of judicial officers, court staff, and justice system partners about court-related mental/behavioral health strategies, programs, and services for youth/juveniles.
 

Goal 2: Increase the ability and skill level of judicial officers who hear cases involving youth and families with mental health needs.

Goal 3: Assist courts with linkages to local mental health resources and treatment/service providers for youth and families with mental health needs.

Goal 4: Determine mental health training needs and develop interdisciplinary training opportunities for judges and court staff with justice system partners.

Goal 5: Develop and maintain a comprehensive resource exchange on mental health needs, mental health services, and other resources to assist courts in addressing the mental health needs of children and families in the court system.

Goal 6: Track and monitor the performance of court-related programs designed to address the mental health needs of youth and families in the court system.

These goals are accomplished through the following:

  • Develop and provide interdisciplinary training on new mental health strategies and programs
  • Develop job aids, bench guides, etc.
  • Develop and maintain website with resources and a resource exchange that includes best/promising practices
  • Establish and maintain an interdisciplinary training program
  • Develop and provide interdisciplinary training with justice system partners, facilitate court-community planning, provide technical assistance
  • Develop and update the Mental Health Youth Services Dashboard to showcase the mental health needs of youth in California.
  • Track and monitor court-related programs