Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth
Juvenile Justice Home
DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
The Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) is directed by a Deputy Commissioner and assisted by three Associate Commissioners. There is an Associate Commissioner for Community Partnerships, an Associate Commissioner for Facilities Management, and an Associate Commissioner for Program Services.
DJJOY is responsible for supervision and treatment of court placed youth, from intake to facility programming and community service provision. DJJOY supports and monitors facility-based operations and programs, as well as detention, community services and a range of community-based programs. DJJOY is directly responsible for the operation, supervision and management of 18 residential facilities and one day placement program, program services provided within the facilities and community multi service office programs. Additionally, there are 3 Evening Reporting Centers (ERCs); one in Brooklyn, one in the Bronx and one in Rochester, and the City Challenge day placement program located in Brooklyn.
DJJOY has 13 Community Multi-Services Offices (CMSO) statewide that are responsible for provision of services to youth and the family from day one of OCFS placement. CMSO staff provide support to the family while the youth is in residential placement and when the youth is released to community supervision, providing for a continuum of services . The CMSO’s also have responsibility for the supervision of the day placement programs that include Electronic Monitoring (EM) and the Evening Reporting Centers (ERC). The CMSO’s include Case Managers who provide case management support to OCFS youth placed in voluntary agencies.
Bureau of Management & Program Support
This Bureau contributes to positive outcomes for youth by providing technical assistance and support to DJJOY Home Office Executive staff and to DJJOY facilities and programs. This is accomplished via assisting in the planning, development and roll out of DJJOY initiatives and special projects as well as the provision of a wide range of program support and monitoring functions. Monitoring and support functions include, but are not limited to, labor relations, reportable incidents, child abuse allegations/investigations, physical restraints, room confinement, policy review and development, staffing/personnel, oversight of the DJJOY vehicle fleet, and administrative support.
OFFICE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Under the direction of an Associate Commissioner, the office provides support and monitoring services to Community Multi services programs, Detention Services, Intake and Court Liaison Services, Evidence-based Community Initiatives (EbCI) programs, and the Bureau of Transitional Services. The Office also provides for a statewide coordinator who is a liaison to the Voluntary Agencies in support of the Community Service Team Case Managers for youth placed with OCFS and are in private agency placements.
Bureau of Community Services
Community Multi-Services Offices (CMSO), located statewide, co-locates the Community Service Team (CST) Case
Managers, Intake workers , other service providers who work closely with the CST, and the Case Managers who provide case management support to OCFS youth placed in voluntary agencies. The focus of the Community Service Team is to provide services to the youth and their family from "day 1" of youth's placement with OCFS, while in residential placement, and upon youth's return to community supervision. A regionally located CST provides case management, supervision and counseling programs for all OCFS placed youth. They provide support and assist in identifying and accessing services for families and youth in numerous programmatic areas including education, school placement, jobs, mental health and substance abuse counseling and recreational programs. Through the utilization of the Electronic Monitoring Program (EM), the CST is able maintain a high level of youth supervision and support as youth make the transition to their communities from residential placement. The Evening Reporting Center (ERC) day placement programs provide afternoon, evening and weekend on-site supervision and services to youth in their home community. Participants must attend school or work as a condition of participation; OCFS directly operates Evening Reporting Centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Rochester.
Bureau for Youth in Transition Programs
The Bureau for Youth in Transition Programs (BYTP) is responsible for services and oversight functions dealing with vocational training and positive youth development activities for youth in DJJOY facilities. BYTP partners with the DJJOY Bureau of Education Services (BES) to develop workforce readiness and life skills programming. The Bureau provides support to Community Multi-Services Offices (CMSO) by developing partnerships with organizations in communities in order to connect youth for further skill development and support when they return home.
Bureau of Juvenile Justice Entry Services
This Bureau is responsible for a range of direct and oversight monitoring services in the areas of Detention Services, Intake and Court Liaison Services and Evidence Based and Youth Development Community Initiatives.
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Detention Services: This unit is responsible for certification and monitoring of the 49 Detention programs (8 secure detention facilities and 41 non-secure detention facilities) as well as 3 forty-eight hour holdover units within the State of New York. These programs provide care and maintain custody of youth ages 8 through 18 during the court process including pre adjudication and disposition by family and/or criminal courts. Detention Services staff review applications for initial and re-certification of detention programs, conduct on-site monitoring visits, provide guidance to detention programs and work with local social services districts to provide technical assistance regarding claim submission and processing.
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Intake and Court Liaison Services: Intake workers collect placement and background documents, interview the youth in detention and conduct a home visit with the family, communicate with the Court and overall manage the process of admitting youth into OCFS custody. They are located across the state in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Mid-Hudson, Long Island and New York City.
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Evidence Based Community Initiative (EBCI) Program Services: The EbCI portfolio provides a comprehensive and integrated set of community-based programs designed to reduce the rate of recidivism of juvenile delinquents reentering the community from residential care; it includes a number of evidence-based programs that provide intensive intervention with youth and their families in the community, and also includes a program for youth who are returned to residential care due to new arrests or rule violations, and a cognitive restructuring program. All EbCI programs operate in collaboration with the Community Multi-Services Offices and staff .
OFFICE OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
The Office of Facilities Management is responsible for providing residential programs supervision and treatment to youth placed in the agency’s custody and care by the family and criminal courts. This Office is overseen by the Associate Commissioner for Facilities Management, with three Facilities Managers to provide management support and oversight to all DJJOY operated facilities.
The Office of Facilities Management is responsible for the development, review and approval of the policies, procedures and practices that govern the operations of its residential programs. This process provides for consistency and appropriateness of policies that are in compliance with relevant standards and laws.
Residential programs range from group homes to secure facilities for Juvenile Offenders. The DJJOY residential care system consists of of 18 facilities and one day placement program. The facilities consist of one reception center for both boys and girls , four secure facilities, five limited-secure facilities, seven non-secure facilities, and one group home. In conjunction with the Office of Program Services, Facilities Management provides the following services to youth in its care: discrete units for youth with mental health, substance abuse and sexual offender service needs; individual and group counseling, medical and dental services, education, vocational/employment, recreational and ministerial services. Non-Secure and Limited Secure facilities operate under the American Correctional Association (ACA) standards of best practice and quality services. All facilities have initiated Performance based Standards (PbS) - a system for agencies to identify, monitor and improve conditions of confinement and treatment through data collection, review and continuous improvement planning.
Facility Security and Accreditation
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Accreditation Program: The Non-Secure and Limited Secure facilities and programs operated by DJJOY Office of Facilities Management seek and maintain accreditation through the American Correctional Association. Accreditation, which is based on national standards of best practices, improves the quality of services provided and enhances programs through improved management, monitoring and oversight. Non-Secure and Limited Secure facilities are reviewed annually by internal auditors and every three years by auditors from the American Correctional Association (ACA) in accordance with national standards of best practices.
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Facilities Security and Fire Safety: This function provides the implementation and ongoing operation of facility security and fire safety, monitors facility compliance with PESH/OSHA health and safety standards, compliance with NYS Codes, coordinates facility radio communication equipment, and provides technical assistance to facilities concerning ACA fire safety and security standards, to include the DJJOY emergency preparedness plans and security reviews of facilities and field offices.
Reception Center: Provides a structured, 14-day program for non-secure and limited secure juvenile delinquents designed to assess youth service needs, determine the appropriate facility for placement and orient youth to facility rules and behavior expectations. The Reception Centers also provide youth with thorough medical, educational, psychological and mental health assessments to determine youth service needs and identify the appropriate facility for placement.
Secure Residential Facilities: provide the most controlled and restrictive of the residential programs operated by OCFS while providing intensive programming for youth requiring this type of environment. Secure facilities are located in non-urban areas with virtually all program services provided on-grounds. Access to and from secure facilities is strictly controlled. The facility is either a single building or a small cluster of buildings surrounded by security fencing and individual resident rooms are locked at night.
The majority of youth admitted to secure facilities are sentenced as juvenile offenders or juvenile offender/youthful offenders by the adult courts. Certain youth may be placed in secure facilities as juvenile delinquents, where the Family Court has authorized secure placement within 60 days of custody admission or when the youth has been Fennered from a Limited-Secure facility for violent behavior. Services provided include education, employment training, recreation, counseling, medical and health services.
Limited Secure Residential Facilities: provide the most restrictive service setting for youth adjudicated as juvenile delinquents. Limited secure facilities may also be used for youth previously placed in secure facilities as a first step in their transition back to the community. Most limited secure facilities are located in rural areas, and virtually all services are provided on-grounds. Services provided include education, employment training, recreation, counseling, medical and mental health services.
Non-Secure Residential Facilities: provide a non-secure level of placement for youth adjudicated as juvenile delinquents and consists of a variety of urban and rural residential centers. Youth in non-secure residential centers require removal from the community but do not require the more restrictive setting or restraining hardware of a limited secure facility. Services provided include education, employment training, recreation, counseling, medical and mental health services.
City Challenge: Day placement and intensive community supervision for select youth returning to Brooklyn. The City Challenge program includes a New York City alternative school program, a culinary arts vocational program, part time job placement, family counseling and therapy as required, an independent living curriculum and community services. The City Challenge program is operated in partnership with the Children’s Aid Society of New York. This program is individually tailored to the risks and needs of our youth.
OFFICE OF YOUTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Under the direction of an Associate Commissioner, the Office of Youth Programs and Services provides technical support to Residential and Community Services programs in these vital areas:
- Classification and Movement,
- Information and Technical Services
- Intervention, Coordination and Enhancement
- Health Services
- Behavioral Health Services
- Education Services
- Ministerial Services
Bureau of Classification and Movement: This Bureau is responsible for oversight of the operation and functions related to intake, classification and movement of OCFS placed youth and youth re-placed with voluntary agencies; manages the Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS), Juvenile Contact System (JCS) - transactions and data management), manages the Interstate Compact for Juveniles , provides for interstate community supervision for out of state youth and the return of runaway youth, and the Central Communications Unit (CCU) which centrally manages youth warrants and the Reportable Incident (RIR) System. The Bureau also oversees the Centralized Client Classification System (CCCS), which monitors, reviews and expedites all routine and emergency movement from facilities, as well as all release and transfer decisions concerning youth in care. The Statewide Youth Transportation System (SYTS), with 5 regional hubs across the state, facilitates the operation of the temporary holdover units at the facilities for youth in transport status.
Statistics and Survey Unit: collects and processes data at intake that is used to determine a youth's risk level and program needs.
Bureau of Information and Technology Services: This Bureau is responsible for the programmatic stewardship of information as it relates to technology. Ongoing technical support, planning and organization of information are provided to all of the DJJOY Bureaus. Operational support of the Juvenile Justice Information system (JJIS) is the primary function of this unit.
Bureau of Health Services: Under direction of a Medical Director, the Bureau of Health Services provides direction, leadership and support for facility programs to develop and maintain adequate medical, nursing, nutrition and dental services to meet the needs of resident youth and staff. The Bureau also collaborates with other units in OCFS to provide technical assistance with regard to medical, nursing, and dental issues.
Bureau of Behavioral Health Services: The Bureau oversees the provision of mental health services in all residential and community based programs within the Division for Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY). BBHS is committed to providing youth and families with treatment milieus in trauma informed environments with evidence based interventions that support the youth and her/his family's functioning. BBHS develops the agency's behavioral health policies and procedures which facilitate best mental health practices within DJJOY settings throughout New York State. The Bureau is responsible for the direct supervision and professional growth of all mental health clinicians within DJJOY including: psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and psychiatric nurse practitioners. The Bureau further oversees three types of discreet units: Substance Abuse Treatment Units, Sexual Offenders Treatment Units and Mental Health Units (mental health units operate in partnership with the New York State Office of Mental Health). BBHS is responsible for building relationships with community based treatment agencies and for fostering an understanding by these agencies of the treatment needs of youth and families served by DJJOY. Developing such community partnerships assists in ensuring that youth and families have their treatment needs met beyond the youth's placement with OCFS/DJJOY. BBHS also supervisers two Counseling Liaisons who provide coaching and support to residential Youth Counselors in effective case management skills and in facilitating psycho-educational and therapeutic groups.
Bureau of Education Services: The Bureau is responsible for the operation of school programs in OCFS facilities which include educational and vocational services to youth. Staff identify statewide service priorities and needs, plan education program systems and designs, coordinate the planning and design of career education program systems, develop recreation program models, coordinate provision of the Innervisions substance abuse prevention education program, recommend educational policies, and provide technical assistance and monitoring in the education area. The bureau also coordinates and assists with the re-entry of OCFS youth to their local education agency and acts as a liaison with State Education Department to monitor compliance with State regulations and laws.
Bureau of Ministerial Services: Ministerial Services coordinates chaplaincy efforts of a limited number of agency staff, supported by local volunteers from major recognized denominations. Ministerial Services assures that participation in religious services is available to youth throughout the agency's residential treatment system, with parental approval. It also facilitates logistical support of these services in facilities and includes appropriate scheduling and use of available space that does not interfere with other facility programming.
