How does a referral move through the Youth Court process?
1) Youth are referred to the Maine Youth Court by:
Juvenile Community Corrections Office (JCCO), Police Department, School Resource Officer (SRO), School Administrator, District Court Judge or District Attorney (DA)
2) Staff reach out to the youth and family to set up an intake meeting:
Youth will have an intake with Maine Youth Court staff to assess need and impact. During this intake general demographic information is collected, the incident is discussed and wiliness to participate in this process is verified. Youth Court is a voluntary process and respondents must agree to the process for the case to be accepted and deemed appropriate. At this time the respondent (youth in trouble) and their guardian(s) work with staff to determine who should participate based on who was affected by the incident along with input from referral sources.
All youth referred are screened using the Adolescent Screen for Co-Occurring Disorders (AC-OK). Appropriate referrals are made according to risk identified. If this screening indicates risk of substance use issues, the youth’s plan will include getting an Assessment with a licensed clinician and following any recommendations from that assessment. Maine Youth Court also offers financial assistance to respondents in need of counseling or mental health treatment outside of substance use risk if other issues or need is presented.
3) Following the intake:
Youth will participate in a hearing, a restorative process that brings together those affected. During this circle process youth advocates work with those affected, the victims, community members, guardians and respondent to discuss the incidents and how it has impacted each party. Recommendations are collected for the repair agreement and the process results in a repair agreement. This agreement is shared with referral sources and participants. Depending on the specifics of the incident, an adult-led circle process may be deemed more appropriate depending on the nature of harm and those affected.
4) The respondent (youth in trouble) has three months to complete this repair agreement:
This repair agreement which may include volunteer service, letters of acknowledgement, constructive family time, pro-social programming, any recommendations made following their Day One assessment, and more. Youth Court staff check in monthly with respondents to offer support and accountability through out the process.
5) At the end of the three months:
Respondents and a parent/guardian return to the Maine Youth Court to report and show proof of completion. If additional time is needed, Maine Youth Court staff defer to the expectations of the referral source.
6) When repair agreement is complete:
Youth Court staff report completion to referral source and the diversion is complete.
1) Youth are referred to the Maine Youth Court by:
Juvenile Community Corrections Office (JCCO), Police Department, School Resource Officer (SRO), School Administrator, District Court Judge or District Attorney (DA)
2) Staff reach out to the youth and family to set up an intake meeting:
Youth will have an intake with Maine Youth Court staff to assess need and impact. During this intake general demographic information is collected, the incident is discussed and wiliness to participate in this process is verified. Youth Court is a voluntary process and respondents must agree to the process for the case to be accepted and deemed appropriate. At this time the respondent (youth in trouble) and their guardian(s) work with staff to determine who should participate based on who was affected by the incident along with input from referral sources.
All youth referred are screened using the Adolescent Screen for Co-Occurring Disorders (AC-OK). Appropriate referrals are made according to risk identified. If this screening indicates risk of substance use issues, the youth’s plan will include getting an Assessment with a licensed clinician and following any recommendations from that assessment. Maine Youth Court also offers financial assistance to respondents in need of counseling or mental health treatment outside of substance use risk if other issues or need is presented.
3) Following the intake:
Youth will participate in a hearing, a restorative process that brings together those affected. During this circle process youth advocates work with those affected, the victims, community members, guardians and respondent to discuss the incidents and how it has impacted each party. Recommendations are collected for the repair agreement and the process results in a repair agreement. This agreement is shared with referral sources and participants. Depending on the specifics of the incident, an adult-led circle process may be deemed more appropriate depending on the nature of harm and those affected.
4) The respondent (youth in trouble) has three months to complete this repair agreement:
This repair agreement which may include volunteer service, letters of acknowledgement, constructive family time, pro-social programming, any recommendations made following their Day One assessment, and more. Youth Court staff check in monthly with respondents to offer support and accountability through out the process.
5) At the end of the three months:
Respondents and a parent/guardian return to the Maine Youth Court to report and show proof of completion. If additional time is needed, Maine Youth Court staff defer to the expectations of the referral source.
6) When repair agreement is complete:
Youth Court staff report completion to referral source and the diversion is complete.