PURPOSE AND MISSION

The mission of the Eleventh Judicial District Youth and Family Services is to hold youth accountable for their actions, offer rehabilitative services, provide youth and their families the resources and skills necessary to achieve positive change and provide a wide range of prevention services to the community.

PROGRAMS/SERVICES

Project MAGIC

A University of Nevada Cooperative Extension program, is an innovative, collaborative prevention program designed to help juvenile offenders leave the criminal justice system and become productive members of society. While participating in MAGIC, young people ages 12 to 18, learn: positive communication skills; problem solving; decision making; self-responsibility; conflict resolution; and, goal setting. Youth also select and conduct a service project designed to benefit their community. Parents and/or guardians of these young offenders also participate in the program. During three evening meetings, these adults learn to: positively communicate with their teen; manage anger during conflict situations; recognize symptoms of drug and/or alcohol abuse; and, positively discipline their children.

Counseling Services

• The Eleventh Judicial District Youth And Family Services strives to offer youth and their families who are determined to be indigent the following services at no cost.
• Individual, Family and Group Counseling
• Outpatient Drug & Alcohol Counseling
• Substance Abuse Evaluations
• Mental Health Evaluations
• Neuropsychological Evaluations
• Psychosexual Evaluations
• Youth and their families are also offered assistance in making referrals to the following:
• Residential Drug & Alcohol Treatment
• Residential Mental Health Treatment

Walk in and Crisis Intervention

Youth and Families needing immediate intervention can call or walk in to the local Youth and Family Services Office and meet with a Juvenile Probation Officer with the intent to offer immediate assistance and support.

Community Service/Work Crew

Youth and Family Services provides a part time Work Crew Supervisor to supervise Court Ordered community service in the form of work crew projects performed in the community. These often include, cleaning of parks, athletic fields, schools, public buildings and special projects as arranged by the Work Crew Supervisor. Juveniles sometimes have the option to complete community service hours on their own at non-profit places.

Drug Testing

Youth and Family Services provides drug and alcohol testing for Court Ordered youth and youth who are otherwise on caseload. The department also provides testing at the request of parents. There is a minimal cost for testing to youth and their families as determined by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer.

Electronic Monitoring

Youth and Family Services provides Electronic Monitoring to those youth who require a higher level of supervision. This is offered as an alternative to secure detention allowing the youth to remain with their family, school or other positive community involvements, while providing an increased level of supervision and monitoring.

Victim Assistance

• Making a victim whole as part of Restorative Justice is a critical part of victim assistance. This is best completed by emphasizing accountability and making amends.
• Restitution – Juvenile Probation Officer obtains and recommends restitution to be paid on behalf of victim. Juvenile Probation Officer monitors and ensures this obligation is met by youth and/or parent/guardian.
• Written/Verbal Apologies – Juvenile Probation Officer will recommend a Letter of Apology if appropriate and ensure the victim is provided said letter.
• Victim Impact Statements – Juvenile Probation Officer advises victim of their right to be present at the hearing, also advises they can submit something in writing if they choose and it will be submitted to the Court on their behalf.
• Face to Face Meetings with juvenile offender - if the victim is interested facilitated by the Juvenile Probation Officer.
• Victim of Violent Crime Program – Juvenile Probation Officer will refer victim who meets the criteria of state program to assist with a variety of expenses which occurred as a result of the crime.

Education

Truancy Enforcement – NRS 392.160, in part states a peace officer shall take into custody during school hours any child who is enrolled in a public school and has been reported absent.

Youth and Family Services provides assistance upon request by the school district to assist in locating a truant student.

Youth and Family Services is also in a collaborative effort with the school district to provide assistance with the operation of the Alternative Education Program.

Work Permits

Pursuant to NRS 609.245, the Eleventh Judicial District Court through Youth and Family Services issues work permits to minor children under the age of 14. Youth under the age of 14 must be employed, have completed an application for work permit with the local Youth And Family Services Office. The Juvenile Court Master or Juvenile Probation Officer will review the type of employment and verify it meets the NRS requirement as acceptable employment.

Please review NRS 609, for restrictions regarding employment of a child under 16 years of age in certain occupations. All applicable Child Labor Laws apply as well and can be reviewed at http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/.

Guardian Ad Litem Program (GAL)

In compliance with NRS 432B.500, the Eleventh Judicial District Youth and Family Services performs the role of Guardian ad Litem in cases involving the abuse or neglect of children.

The Guardians ad Litem main responsibility is to represent and protect the best interests of the child until excused by the court. The GAL provides the Court with an independent, objective account of the relevant facts of each case. The GAL meets with the child, explains the role of the GAL, participates in the development of any plans regarding the child, appears at all proceedings, and informs the Court desires of the child. These are just a few of the responsibilities of the GAL.

The GAL also is appointed on certain matters relating to contested Divorces which may have a negative impact on the children involved.