417th: Juvenile Programs

​​​​​​​Juvenile Mental Health Court Program

The Mission of the Collin County Juvenile Mental Health Intervention Program is to help juvenile offenders who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and who may be acting out or violating the law be successful in their homes. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the team will effectively address mental health problems by connecting participants and their families to treatment providers and community resources to reduce the number of juveniles who re-offend. Collin County JMHIP aims to hold participants accountable for their actions while building on their strengths and reconnecting them to healthy peers, family, and adult relationships as well as prosocial activities.


Program Structure

The Juvenile Mental Health Court Program consists of four phases. The four phases are Bronze Level (Orientation Phase) minimum of 30 days. Silver (Stabilization) Level minimum of 90 days. Gold (transition) Level minimum of 60 days. Platinum/Aftercare (Platinum) minimum of 60 days.

Overview: The Collin County Mental Health Court program is a juvenile specialty court developed to support youth involved in the juvenile justice system who are dealing with mental health issues.


Qualifiers


  • To be eligible for admission into the program, juveniles must meet the following target population.
  • Juveniles must have a DSM-5 diagnosis other than or in addition to substance abuse, ADHD, mental retardation, autism, pervasive developmental disorder, and an IQ of 70 or greater.

Disqualifiers


  • Juveniles with a primary diagnosis of ODD, Conduct Disorder, and ADHD will not be accepted into the program.
  • Juveniles adjudicated with a sex offense will be excluded from the program.
  • Other exclusions include severe mental or emotional problems and are not stable on medication at the time of admission, requiring inpatient mental health care, and youth whom have a history of manufacturing and/or distribution of illegal and synthetic drugs (drug dealing).

Target Populations: Juveniles between the ages of 10-17 are diagnosed with mood disorders, psychosis, mania, anxiety, anger issues, and ADHD. Other mental health diagnoses not listed, will be accepted. Juveniles diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) will be admitted into the program.


Benefits

The Court can consider early termination from supervision upon completion of the program. The Court records can be sealed, and your record can be expunction if the law allows it.


Goal

The goal is to help the youth successfully complete probation while helping them get connected to services to benefit the youth and family.


Application Process

Referrals are accepted from JPOs, attorneys, or community partners. Our Probation Officer may refer you to the program. A thorough evaluation, including recommendations, will be completed by one of our licensed therapists. The team will meet to discuss possible acceptance.


Contact

  
  
  
Collin County Juvenile Probation Officer/Program CoordinatorSheila Shaw(972) 548-6488

GEMS Program (Girls, Empowerment, Mentoring & Support)

Gem Program Logo

The Mission of the Collin County Juvenile Girls' Court is to help female juvenile offenders who have been traumatized and may be acting out or violating the law as a result of the negative experiences of their past. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the team will effectively address underlying trauma associated with at-risk behaviors and related to delinquent conduct. Collin County Girl's Court aims to hold participants accountable for their actions and build on their strengths while reconnecting them to healthy peers, family, and adult relationships as well as prosocial activities. We are focused on the strengths of participants and their families, providing support where needed to remove barriers.


Program Structure

The Juvenile Girl's Court Program consists of four phases. The four phases are Sapphire level (Orientation Phase) minimum of 30 days. Ruby Level minimum of 90 days. Pearl Level minimum of 60 days. Diamond/Aftercare minimum of 60 days.

Overview: The GEMS Program is a Girls' Court program to help empower and support girls in the juvenile justice system, and identify youth at risk of being trafficked. The Girls' Court model acknowledges the differences between male and female juveniles in the justice system. The GEMS team guides the participant and her family by coordinating treatment, counseling, community resources, supervision, and accountability.


Qualifiers


The Collin County Girl's Court is a court-centered treatment program. The program lasts a minimum of eight (8) months in length and is open to female youth (including those who identify as female) between 14 to 17 years, two months of age. Females who are involved in the juvenile justice system and have suffered trauma or abuse are the focus of this program. Girls' Court is looking for participants who:

  • Females program
  • Are on probation, and in need of intensive supervision
  • Have not been adjudicated for a sex crime or a violent offense with a weapon.
  • Have a history of trauma, abuse, and mental health issues.
  • Are at risk of victimization
  • Do not require inpatient mental health treatment; and are willing to comply with any prescribed medication or treatment.

Disqualifiers


    Reasons for exclusion include adjudication for a sex crime, severe mental or emotional problems who are not stable on medication at the time of admission, requiring inpatient mental health care, and youth whom have a history of manufacturing and/or distribution of illegal and synthetic drugs (drug dealing).


Benefits

The Court can consider early termination from supervision upon completion of the program. The Court records can be sealed, and your record can be expunction if the law allows it.


Goal

The goals are to help the girls successfully complete probation and reduce runaways and arrests.

Note: How is Girls' Court Different? GEMS differs from the traditional court, in that the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorneys work together, as a team, sharing in the decision-making process. GEMS team members are all dedicated to helping young women


Application Process

Referrals are accepted from JPOs, attorneys, or community partners. Your Probation Officer, attorney, or community partners may refer you to the program. A thorough assessment, with recommendations, will then be completed by one of our licensed therapists. The GEMS team will meet to discuss possible acceptance.


Contact

  
  
  
Collin County Juvenile Probation Officer/Program CoordinatorSheila Shaw(972) 548-6488

SOAR Program (Successfully Opting for Accountability and Recover)

Soar Program Logo

Soar is strength-based; so is focused on the strengths of participants and their families, providing support, where needed, to remove barriers. The Mission of this program is to promote safety in a cost-effective manner. Collin County SOAR Program is to equip juveniles with the necessary tools to successfully complete probation while achieving sobriety from alcohol and/or other drugs. The drug court program will guide the juvenile and the family by coordinating treatment, counseling, community resources, supervision, and accountability.


Program Structure

The Soar program averages one year in length and consists of 4 phases. Phase 1. (Minimum of 30 days) - Orientation. Phase 2 (minimum of 90 days) - Skills Development. Phase 3 (minimum of 60 days) - Transition. Phase 4 (minimum of 60 days) - Maintenance & Independence

Overview: The Collin County Soar Program is a juvenile drug court developed to support youth involved in the juvenile justice system who are dealing with substance abuse.


Qualifiers


The Collin County Juvenile Drug Court (SOAR) is a court-centered, outpatient substance abuse treatment program. The program averages eight (8) months in length and is open to youth between 14 to 17 years of age. Juveniles who are involved in the juvenile justice system and abusing alcohol and/or drugs are the focus of this program. SOAR will serve offenders in need of substance abuse treatment, intensive supervision, and drug testing services. Drug Court is looking for participants who:

  • Are 14—17 years old
  • Are involved in the juvenile justice system Sample Text
  • Have no severe mental or emotional problems, no adjudication for a sex crime, and no history of drug sales offenses
  • Have a moderate to severe drug or alcohol problem

Disqualifiers


  • Sex Crime
  • Severe Mental or emotional problems
  • A youth who has a history of manufacturing and/or distributing illegal and synthetic drugs (drug dealing).

Benefits

The Court can consider early termination from supervision upon completion of the program. The Court records can be sealed, and your record can be expunction if the law allows it.

Note: You can put notes under sections where they are relevant like this.


Goal

The goal is to help the youth successfully complete probation while becoming drug or alcohol-free.

Note: How is Drug Court Different? The drug court approach differs from traditional court, in that the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorneys all work together, as a team, sharing in the decision-making process. The Soar team members are dedicated to helping young people.


Application Process

Referrals are accepted from JPOs, attorneys, or community partners. Our Probation Officer may refer you to the program. A thorough substance abuse evaluation, including recommendations, will be completed by one of our licensed therapists. The Soar team will meet to discuss possible acceptance.


Contact

  
  
  
Collin County Juvenile Probation Officer/Program CoordinatorSheila Shaw(972) 548-6488

CTD Diversion Program (CSE-It, Treat-It, Divert it)

Diversion Program Logo

The CTD is designed to help youth who are at high risk of being trafficked or exploited. Our program hopes to connect the participant and family with community resources and support, in hopes of preventing further involvement with the juvenile justice system.


Program Structure

The CTD program is a voluntary six-month program designed to identify and address the participant's and family's needs. If a participant cooperates/participates in the CTD program, working toward completion of the identified goals, the case will be closed by the juvenile Probation Department with no further action needed.

Overview: We use a strengths-based model that focuses on skill-building. Partnering with the family, and building on their strengths to bring about positive change. We are here to support the youth and his/her family, offering therapy, and supportive services to try to help the youth stay out of the juvenile justice system and in their home with their families.


Qualifiers


  • The program is open to both males and females between the ages of 10 - 17 who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation/human trafficking or who have been identified as high-risk youth by partner agencies or law enforcement. This also includes habitual runaways.

Disqualifiers


  • Excluded offenses: Sexual offenses, aggravated robbery, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Benefits

Free Services Provided

  • Supportive, intensive, in-home services for up to 6 months
  • Assessment and goal-setting with the family
  • Life skills building for the youth and his/her family
  • Groups/Classes/Activities, to include Human Trafficking awareness
  • Individual & Family Counseling (or referral);
  • Substance abuse education and counseling (or referral);
  • Parenting skill development
  • Support for rebuilding family relationships
  • Flexible scheduling
  • 24/7 availability in crisis
  • Help in all life domain areas: residential, family, social, educational, vocational, medical, psychological, emotional, legal, safety, cultural, community, and more

Goal

The goal of the Diversion Track is to divert these youth from the juvenile justice system and help keep them in their home, through supportive services, education, and treatment for the youth and his/her families.

Note: The applicant does not need a court order. The program is open to all qualified individuals.


Application Process

Referrals are accepted from JPOs, attorneys, or community partners. Our Probation Officer may refer you to the program. A thorough evaluation, including recommendations, will be completed by one of our licensed therapists. The team will meet to discuss possible acceptance.​


Contact

  
  
  
Collin County Juvenile Probation Officer/Program CoordinatorSheila Shaw(972) 548-6488

Team Members

  
  
417th District Court, Presiding JudgeJudge Cynthia Wheless
Juvenile Program CoordinatorSheila Shaw
Collin County, Community Supervision and Corrections Department Officer for Felony Drug Court ProgramCollin County, Community Supervision and Corrections Department Officer
Clinical SupervisorMichelle Morris, LCSW
Psychologist Robert D. Lackey, PhD
Treatment TeamLifePath System
Family-based WorksAngela Nicholson
Family-based WorksReggie Lewis
Collin County Assistant District Attorney, Juvenile ProsecutorsCollin County Assistant District Attorney, Juvenile Prosecutors
Defense Counsel Team MemberDefense Counsel Team Member
Educational LiaisonJuli Ferraro
Treatment Provider TeamScott Stohner, LCDC

Resources and Forms

  
Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County
Texas Suicide Prevention
LifePath System
A Family Place
Traffick 911
National Institute on Drug Abuse
AI-Anon
Smart Recovery
Sundown Ranch
  
  
Juvenile Mental Health Court Program Brochure.pdf417th District Court: Juvenile Mental Health Court Program Brochure
CTD CSE-IT, Treat-It, Divert-It, Brochure.pdfCTD (CSE-IT, Treat-It, Divert-It) Brochure
GEMS Girls Empowerment, Mentoring & Support Brochure.pdfGEMS (Girls Empowerment, Mentoring & Support) Brochure
SOAR Successfully Opting for Accountability and Recover.pdfSOAR (Successfully Opting for Accountability and Recover) Brochure