JFAST: Juvenile Forensic Assistance for Stabilization and Treatment Program, County of San Diego, California

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

JFAST – the Juvenile Forensic Assistance for Stabilization and Treatment Program – is a collaborative program for juvenile offenders with mental health needs. It was formed in 2010 to address the needs of juveniles with a history of delinquency who didn’t respond well to traditional probation because of unresolved mental health issues. The collaborative team comprises a County public defender, County behavioral health staff, County probation officers, a County deputy district attorney, a Superior Court judge and County mental health contractors who work together to oversee each case and achieve the best outcome for kids, families and community safety. The team designs a tailored treatment plan for the young person that may include individual and family counseling, medication management and substance abuse treatment. Fifty juveniles have graduated from the program. More than 90 percent of the youth complete probation and JFAST with no new offenses. By comparison, 70 percent of young offenders on probation in San Diego County complete probation with no new offenses. By the end of the program, youth have generally found short and long term strategies for managing their mental health, stopped delinquent behaviors and engaged in positive activities with plans for a positive future.