1. Full community collaboration in support of system- involved youth
The Family Partnerships Program
Larimer County Colorado

2. HISTORY of LCDHS in JUVENILE JUSTICE
Prior to 2002-Same as Most of State
2002-Youth Services Home Based
2006-Began implementing model from Olmstead, MN
2008-Learned about Hampton VA model
2009-In January Family Assessment and Planning Team was created
2009-In March a CFSR was completed in Larimer
2009-In October there was a shift to Family Partnerships

3. FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS
Designed by Probation, Department of Human Services, SB94 (pre- adjudication tracking unit) and the District Attorneys Office
Two functions
Department of Human Services Court Intake
Family Partnership Program (FPP)

4. COURT INTAKE Representation and Liaison in Court
Perform assessment for DHS Intakes
Typically new in system
Suggest and refer families to appropriate services (including FP) when necessary
Access to services via DHS and community funding
Member of Juvenile Assessment Team (JAT)
Probation, DHS (including juvenile screening entity), SummitStone (local mental health provider), SB94
Streamline sharing of information and assessment duties

5. FP Program Provides Intensive Case management High intensity at start
Minimum of weekly face to face
Extensive collateral work
Service matching and referral
Intensity decreases over time
Responsive to family crisis
Tenacious advocacy within systems
Developing informal support network
Planning for alternatives to congregate care placements
Facilitating access to Family Engagement meetings
Screening for trauma related issues

6. ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA Youth/Family Must:
High Risk by the Pre-CJRA. Moderate youth need supervisor override
Have a parent/guardian that is willing to meet with FP Staff
Not be involved with other intensive in home services
Upon assessment, the FP program may deem the family not appropriate if the current supports and services appear to be meeting the family’s needs or if the family does not feel they would benefit from services

7. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
In addition, during the screening process it must be determined that youth/family meet 4 of the following 6 Criteria.
The youth/child at risk, or the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) have a diagnosed Mental Health Disorder that has caused disruption in the last year.
The youth/child is already placed out of the home (Priority given to congregate care placements).
The youth/child at risk or Parent(s)/Guardian(s) have used illicit substances in the past 6 month, that has resulted in negative behavioral consequences
There has been documented violence/aggression/threats in the home, school or community.
A history of trauma to the youth and/or parent and/or a history of Child Protection involvement
Age of youth listed is 13 or younger.

8. THE REAL SECRET TO THE SUCCESS
RELATIONSHIPS are the FOUNDATION
Specific DHS worker teamed with specific Probation Officer(s)
Direct referrals not only accepted, but encouraged
Probation gains access to service for families without court order
Easier to work through differing opinions within context of relationships
DHS and Probation work together to build resiliency in families and one another

9. PARADIGM SHIFT Old New Child Focused, Professional Driven
Child Focused, Family Driven
Problem Focused
The Problem is the Exception
Families with Limited Power
Families given power to direct services
Court Directed
Driven by the family engagement process
Treat in Groups with similar approaches
Individualized with services that fit each family
High use of Congregate Care
Limited use of any out of home placement
Multiple agencies implementing court ordered services
Centralized Services
Decrease in probation resources
Increase in capacity to serve clients with complex needs in the community
System Blame
True integration

10. WHO SAYS SYSTEMS CANT WORK TOGETHER
Naysayers Believed:
Agencies cant work together, it will just become a turf war
The use of Residential and DYC is only going to skyrocket
More recidivism, less success on probation
The community will be unsafe

11. HIGHEST LEVELS OF CARE

12. Positive outcomes
Off all the youth committed to the Department of Youth Corrections for FY 14/15 and FY 15/16 only 26% of those were youth who received Family Partnerships Support
This is particularly significant given that the youth involved in Family Partnerships can be defined as very high risk based on various forms of objective screening measures

13. Ongoing and future programming
Current Practices and Programming
Juvenile Recovery Court
Girls Group
Crossover Court
Trauma Informed Community Practice
Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)
Drug and Alcohol Group
WhyTry
Restorative Justice Practice
Family Assessment and Planning Team
Offense Specific Programming (for sexually offending youth)
Strategies for Behavior Change
Safety Organized Practice
Tremendous variety of community programming provided by collaborative partners

14. Ongoing and future programming
Pending programs (to be implemented by end of 2017)
Girls Program
Program model to address Racial and Ethnic Disparity at the point of commitment

15. WHERE TO FROM HERE Continued focus on zero youth in congregate care
The goal is continuous improvement
Continue to address the overrepresentation of Latino youth in the delinquency system
Continue work to improve trauma informed services
Continue to maintain and develop programming that decreases the length of stay in detention and number of DYC commitments
Use data to guide areas that need improvement, address identified service gaps and utilize services with proven successful outcomes
Adapt programming and support to meet current budget needs

16. QUESTIONS
Contact Info:
Hava Simmons, ,
Dixie Vogel, ,