Mental Health Juvenile Justice (MHJJ)

The goal of the Mental Health Juvenile Justice (MHJJ) program is to identify major mental illness in youth involved or at risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system that might otherwise have gone untreated. MHJJ strives to support identified youth and their families to help prevent further involvement with the legal system and advocate for youth to remain in their communities when possible and clinically beneficial.

The program works to strengthen youth and families' relationship with courts, probation, detention, schools, health care, mental health and other community-based services. This is accomplished through case management, linkage to community agencies, court advocacy, and monitoring the progress in treatment. MHJJ can aid in consultation and coordination with schools, hospitals, court, detention and probation personnel. The MHJJ liaison may be able to connect the family with financial resources to help strengthen the family. Individualized treatment plans are developed to address needs and build on strengths. This is a community-based service.

The youth must be under age 18, have had contact or be at risk for contact with the Juvenile Justice System, be exhibiting symptoms of a major mental illness and be a resident of Kane County.