In partnership with San Joaquin County Probation, CYS provides voluntary behavioral health services to all youth who come to the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC), regardless of Medi-Cal eligibility or other private insurance coverage.
Screening assessments are completed at booking and determine whether the youth has high or low risk factors. These factors include the potential for suicide, self-harm, mental health and substance abuse. Youth who are identified with high risk factors are seen by BHS staff within 24 hours of received screenings, whereas those categorized with low risk factors are seen within five days. Youth safety from self-harm is a high priority for all JJC staff. BHS is on-site 7 days per week and provides mental health services to youth while in custody.
Services include evaluation/assessments, therapy and rehabilitative services, and linkage to mental health services upon release. Youth additionally have access to voluntary psychiatric medication services and medication management if indicated during their incarceration.
The primary program goals of BHS are to keep youth safe and prevent them from inflicting harm on themselves or others. Other goals include social stabilization and emotional regulation through Evidence-Based interventions such as Seeking Safety and Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET) with linkage to services and supports both during their stay and upon release back into the community.