The Court Assesment Program
(CAP)

The Court Assessment Program (CAP) is an inter-agency collaborative between Franklin County Juvenile Court, Franklin County Children Services, the ADAMH Board and Columbus Public Schools. The primary goal of the program is to assess necessary services and provide connections with services that can help the youth and their families remain together and work to avoid future court involvement. CAP intervenes with delinquent youth and their families over a 30-90 day period to assess current programs, and to develop a community-based plan for each family.

During 2004, CAP served 139 youth and their families.

WHY CAP?
  • Youth is exhibiting problematic and delinquent behavior.
  • Assessment cannot be effectively done in the community.
  • Stabilization is needed.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR CAP?
  • Youth must have delinquency offense  (No status offenses, i.e. alcohol, smoking).
  • Youth is age 12 to 16.
  • Youth’s family must be willing to participate in the program, and be committed to having the youth return to the home.

YOUTH ARE ACCEPTED TO CAP AFTER:
  • Youth is adjudicated delinquent.
  • Youth is ordered by Judge or Magistrate to participate with CAP.
  • Family is ordered by Judge or Magistrate to participate in weekly family sessions.
  • Youth is screened by CAP team member to ensure general criteria are met.

EXCLUSIONS:
  • Youth can be excluded from being accepted into CAP if:
  • They have an active status with the Department of Youth Services.
  • Are currently in residential treatment.
  • Are in need of psychiatric hospitalization.
  • Have severe identifiable emotional, physical or intellectual limitations.

CAP GOALS
  • To assess and link families with appropriate community-based services.
  • To provide intervention for youth that    are out of control at home, in school,    and/or in the community.
  • To begin to address problems that have brought youth and family to court.

CAP STAFF
  • Clinical Director and Case Manager provided by Franklin County Juvenile Court.
  • Mental Health Liaison and Substance Abuse Specialist provided by Franklin County ADAMH Board, through Netcare.
  • Social Worker/Liaison provided by Franklin County Children’s Services.
  • Full-Time Teacher provided by Columbus Public Schools.