What Makes Us Different
The Juvenile Justice System Service teams at The Harris Center provide comprehensive behavioral health services to meet the needs of children and adolescents involved in the criminal justice system. The teams work together to provide assessment, treatment, and follow-up care to manage behavioral health needs both in the community and secure settings.
The Forensic Evaluation Unit provides psychological, psychiatric, and family assessments to children between the ages of 10 and 17 who are referred by the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) or the Juvenile Courts. These assessments aid in treatment and placement planning for youth in the criminal justice system.
Services:
- Psychological, psychiatric, and family assessments
- Treatment and placement planning
Psychiatric and medication services are provided to juvenile offenders ages 10-17 years who reside in one of the three HCJPD placement facilities (Katy Leadership Academy, Youth Village, Juvenile Detention Center). These individuals receive comprehensive psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation skills training. Upon discharge, parents may request a 30-day supply of medication to be sent to their pharmacy of choice. Juvenile Probation Officers coordinate with the family to plan continued treatment resources in the community upon release from the residential placement.
Services:
- Psychiatric screening and evaluation
- Medication management
- Rehabilitation skills training
- Treatment planning
The Texas Correctional Office of Offenders with Medical and Mental Impairments (TCOOMMI Jr.) program provides intensive community-based behavioral health services for youth ages 10-17 who are on parole, probation, or require intensive supervision. Youth are referred by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or Harris County Juvenile Probation Department and receive services at their home, at school, or in the community. The TCOOMMI Jr. program works to ensure the youth is stabilized and learns appropriate coping skills to navigate daily life to reduce the likelihood they reoffend.
TCOOMMI Jr. is a collaboration with the Texas Department of Corrections Re-Entry Division, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and Harris County Juvenile Probation Department.
Services:
- Supervision by a licensed professional and/or a probation officer
- Intensive community-based rehabilitation skills training
- Medication management
- Case management
- Linkage to community resources
The Transition Services Unit connects youth being released from HCJPD facilities and their families to community resources. Care coordinators assess the needs of the family and schedule appointments prior to release, in advance of their court date, or while on probation. These services support the transition of youth being released from residential facilities and integrating back into the community.
Services:
- Needs assessment
- Linkage to community resources
- Coordinating appointments for families
- Follow-up support to ensure appointments are completed
The TRIAD Juvenile Mental Health Services team provides prevention and early-intervention services to children and adolescents identified with serious mental illness who are also at risk for out of home placement. Services may be provided in the home or in the community, with a family-centered approach to address the needs of the family unit. This program also serves as the local liaison for the Waco Center for Youth residential facility.
The TRIAD Juvenile Behavioral Health Services Unit works in collaboration with Harris County Resources for Children and Adults and Harris County Juvenile Probation Department to serve at-risk youth.
Services:
- In-home counseling
- Crisis intervention
- Family needs assessment
- School advocacy
- Individual and family therapy
- Community referrals
- Case management
The Youth Diversion Center serves as an alternate location to juvenile detention for youth ages 13-17 who have committed low-level, non-violent crimes, that temporarily need respite care due to a behavioral health crisis. Eligibility for services is determined by the Harris County District Attorney's office and the Juvenile Probation Department. The Youth Diversion Center offers comprehensive rehabilitation services, such as crisis intervention and family counseling/reintegration, to prevent youth from falling deeper into the criminal justice system. This rehabilitative program provides a safe and supportive environment for youth to learn new skills and be able to successfully transition back into their communities. Most children admitted spend approximately 5-10 days at the Center, and receive regular assessments to determine when they are ready to leave. Upon release, youth are connected to long-term behavioral health services in the community to prevent recidivism.
The Youth Diversion Center proudly opened its doors May 2023. The Youth Diversion Center is a collaboration with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Harris County District Attorney and Commissioner's Courts, Harris County Resources for Children, and Rice Kinder Research Institute.
Services:
- Comprehensive rehabilitation services
- Temporary housing/respite care
- Crisis intervention
- Group and individual therapy
- Family counseling and reintegration
- Linkage with community resources
