[Archived] Are the kids receiving wrap around services while in NVJDC, and if so what are they? What are some outcomes of the Center in terms of social services/getting children on the right path?

Juveniles remanded to the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center (NVJDC) are provided supports, resources, and interconnectivity with community partners during their time in incarceration. City entities involved include Court Services Unit, Alexandria City Public Schools, and the Department and Community and Human Services. These wraparound services promote a successful re-entry into the community given varying lengths of incarceration for juveniles.

The collaborative process to address the well-being of juveniles at NVJDC is as follows:

• At the onset of a youth’s arrest:

  •  Law-enforcement officials and Court Service Unit personnel screen youths to determine emergent physical and mental health needs. Relevant information is shared with Center staff such that the youths can be cared for at the optimal level of effectiveness. These needs are assessed by facility professionals at the time of their intake and a case-management plan is created. 
    

• While incarcerated:

  • Center Staff address physical and mental-health needs of youths. They receive physicals and counseling. In addition to the trauma-informed line staff responsible for the day-to-day needs of youths, NVJDC staff is also comprised of health and mental health professionals charged with ensuring that youths’ needs are addressed.

  • The educational needs of the youths detained are met through the Center’s on-site Alexandria City Public School, which is staffed by Alexandria City Public School professional staff. 

  • The youth receive community based services. The Center provides space for an Alexandria Community Services Board/Department of Community and Human Services clinician to provide mental health and case-management services to youths, especially those who are not already linked to services in the community. This clinician works in tandem with the Court Service Unit professionals, including Probation Officers and counselors, in recommending and/or continuing treatment and community-related programs and services.

  • Court Service Unit professionals, by mandate, visit detainees and actively prepare for and organize discharge plans based on the youths’ and families’ needs. This activity occurs with consultation of Center staff. CSU staff ensure that case planning and case management occur in order to offer youth the opportunity to succeed, following the mission to protect the public by preparing court-involved youth to be successful citizens.   
    

The New Beginnings Program, a part of the Center, also works in tandem with local clinicians and probation officers, to include preparation for release and continued services in the community. During calendar years 2013 – 2015, thirty-three youths were ordered to complete the New Beginnings Program and twenty-nine, or eighty-eight percent, completed the program successfully.