Juvenile Court Assessment Program
Caritas has joined a collaborative effort with Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) called Juvenile Court Assessment Project. The purpose of this IV-E Waiver Project is to improve permanency outcomes for custodial parent(s) involved with DCFS who have lost temporary custody of their children
Caritas assessment counselors are Masters level certified and/or licensed counselors who work on-site at the Juvenile Court at 1100 S. Hamilton. They provide immediate and on-site alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) assessments and referrals to all DCFS clients, 18 years of age or older.
Who is eligible to participate in the research study?
- Cases in which DCFS has been granted temporary custody of a minor and the JCAP assessment takes place within 90 days of temporary custody.
- DCFS clients 18 years of age or older.
- Cook County placement cases only.
- The custodial parent(s) are assessed to have involvement with alcohol and/or other drugs
What services do the Caritas Juvenile Court Assessment Counselors provide?
- Immediate and on-site assessments and referrals.
- Those assessed as needing treatment are randomly assigned to either a control group or a demonstration group
- The control group receives the existing alcohol/drug assessment and referral for admission for treatment services, where appropriate, through the OASA/DCFS Initiative. Every attempt is made to schedule the client for treatment services at the designated treatment provider, at the time of the assessment.
- In addition to the assessment and referral to treatment services, the demonstration group receives a Recovery Coach who is employed by TASC to provide intensive alcohol or other drug abuse outreach and case management services.
To get more information about the JCAP Program call (312) 666-4688.
JCAP services are provided at:
Cook County Juvenile Court
1100 S. Hamilton
Cal 49, Room CO63 Concourse Level
Chicago, Illinois 60612