Juvenile Justice Services
Juvenile Justice focuses on prevention and early intervention for young people at risk or involved with the juvenile justice system. Rehabilitation within Juvenile Correctional Facilities is driven by a therapeutic approach utilizing research and evidence-based best practices. Our Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT’s) prepare justice-involved youth maximize opportunities for their successful transition to the community and adulthood. This is achieved through either reintegration or linkages to community-based resources/services that support the diverse needs of our clients and their families.
JJS has established data standards and quality assurance measures to monitor compliance and ensure youth are receiving the highest quality of services for their specific needs.
Programs
Overview of Performance and Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance Unit – Objectively assesses compliance with JJS procedures, provides compliance gap and trend analysis, and makes recommendations. Provides facilities with independent incident review and supports facility partnership to promote continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Medicaid Unit – Working in partnership with the Human Services Department, our certified Presumptive Eligibility Determiners support all JJS involved clients throughout the state to achieve their rehabilitation needs by ensuring access to Medicaid benefits and treatment resources.
Grievance Unit – Administrates the client grievances process as an opportunity for clients to learn, develop, and practice self-advocacy skills, while providing facility management with insight into potential quality improvement.
Performance-Based Standards Unit (PbS) – PbS is a data-driven continuous improvement process for juvenile justice facilities, community residential programs and reentry services to improve conditions and quality of life in our secure juvenile facilities. PbS offers research-based standards and performance measures that focus on making facilities safe, monitoring program effectiveness, and achieving positive outcomes.
Prison Rape Elimination Act – PREA – Ensures CYFD’s compliance with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and its ongoing commitment to prevent, detect, and respond to all allegations of sexual abuse and harassment.
Facilities
New Mexico has two Juvenile Corrections Facilities. Juveniles may serve a one-year (short-term) or a two-year (long-term) commitment. These facilities are for juveniles who have been adjudicated and sentenced. View More information Here
Youth Services and Delinquency Prevention
Transition Services
JJS Transition Services serves clients with high levels of social and behavioral health needs following discharge from the facilities. Transition Services follows the Intensive Aftercare Program (IAP) created by David Aschuler and provides intensive case management to the target population of the program.
Reintegration
The Juvenile Reintegration Centers (JRCs) provide a safe environment in a group home setting for clients on Supervised Release and Probation. The JRCs collaborate with CYFD and community team members to provide clients with programming and services. JRCs assist clients in developing individualized plans to focus on their specific needs and goals to promote healthy life choices.
Juvenile Justice (JJ) Summits
The Juvenile Justice Services (JJS) Summits serve as a vital platform to foster collaboration, enhance communication, and address the unique needs affecting youth within our communities. These summits aim to strengthen the connections between JJS Field Services, the Youth Services and Delinquency Prevention (YSDP) Unit, and key community stakeholders, these summits focus on outcomes for young people involved in or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.
A collaborative effort, the JJS Summits bring together a diverse range of participants, including representatives from law enforcement, education, community service providers, judges, government agencies, public defenders, district attorneys, and other key stakeholders. This inclusive approach ensures that every voice is heard and leverages the collective expertise of our communities to address challenges, share resources, and develop impactful solutions. Together, we are committed to creating stronger, more supportive communities for the youth we serve.
To maximize engagement and impact, the JJS Summits will operate on a three-year rotating schedule, with the goal of visiting all judicial districts across the state during this period. By doing so, the summits aim to address the unique needs of each community, build stronger partnerships at the local level, and provide tailored strategies to support the youth and families we serve.