Parent Resources

Helpful Online Resources

The Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections Parent Brochure 
This brochure outlines the different steps in a journey that a child may go through when placed in the custody of the department.


2-1-1 Careline 
Learn about community services: Call 2-1-1- or visit www.idahocareline.org



Commonly Used Juvenile Justice Terms

Community-Based Program:  An in-home confinement program or a nonsecure or staff secure residential or nonresidential program operated to supervise and provide competency development to juvenile offenders in the least restrictive setting.
 

Community Treatment Team: A team including the juvenile services coordinator, contract provider case manager, juvenile probation officer, family, and others, as necessary, who work together to provide input into each juvenile offender’s service implementation plan, implement their respective sections of that plan, and monitor and report progress on treatment goals.
 

Criminogenic Needs: Assessed juvenile offender risk factors or attributes of juvenile offenders that are directly linked to criminal behavior and, when changes, influence the probability of recidivism.
 

Detention: The temporary placement of juveniles who require secure custody for their own or the community’s protection in physically restricting facilities.
 

Diversion: The utilization of local community resources, churches, counseling for the juvenile and/or family, substance abuse counseling, informal probation, community service work, voluntary restitution, or any other available service or program as an alternative to the filing of a petition with the juvenile court.
 

Escape: Attempting to leave or leaving a facility without permission, or attempting to leave or leaving the lawful custody of any officer or other person without permission.
 

Juvenile: A person less than 18 years of age or who was less than 18 years of age at the time of any act, omission or status bringing the person within the purview of the Juvenile Corrections Act.
 

Juvenile Offender: A person under the age of 18 committed by the court to the custody, care and jurisdiction of the department of juvenile corrections for confinement in a secure community based facility following adjudication for a delinquent act which would constitute a felony or misdemeanor if committed by an adult.
 

Juvenile Services Coordinator: An individual employed by the department of Juvenile corrections who is responsible for monitoring of therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment services to juvenile offenders participating in a treatment program.
 

Legal Custody: The relationship created by the court’s decree which imposes upon the custodian responsibilities of physical possession of the juvenile the duty to protect, train and discipline him and to provide him with food, shelter, education and ordinary medical care.
 

Mental Health Screening: The purpose of a mental health screening is to quickly identify a juvenile offender’s immediate mental health needs and to determine if there are any immediate mental health needs and to determine if there are any immediate needs related to a chronic mental health condition.
 

Observation and assessment program: Any state operated or purchased service program responsible for temporary custody of juvenile offenders for observation and assessment.
 

Reintegration Plan: That part of the juvenile offender’s service plan which specifically addresses the terms, conditions and services to be provided as the juvenile offender moves to a lower level of care or leaves the custody of the Department of Juvenile Corrections.
 

Restitution: Financial payment or service work intended to reimburse victims for the cost of damage or harm caused by a juvenile offender.
 

Service Plan: A written document produced during the observation and assessment period following commitment to the Department of Juvenile Corrections that defined the juvenile offender’s criminogenic needs and risks, strengths, goals, and recommendations for family and reintegration services.
 

Staff secure facility: A residential facility with awake staff twenty four hours a day, seven days a week for intensive supervision of juveniles.
 

Work program: A public service work project which employs juvenile offenders at a reasonable wage for the purposes of reimbursing victims of the juvenile offender’s delinquent behavior.

 

Bench Cards may be found under Resources and Media here.

 

Making a difference requires both the juvenile justice system, and community and parent involvement.

 

All teens deserve our help. This is not just a problem for their families; it’s a problem AND opportunity for us all.

 

For more information, visit our Organizations page or check out our Resources, as well as resources specific to Parents and Youth.