Policy Text
Procedure Number: L6
Issued: 08/04
Revised: 07/13
Revised: 01/16
Reviewed: 11/17
MENTAL HEALTH/CRISIS SERVICES
AUTHORITY
Title 15 Regulation:
Section 1437 Mental Health Services and Transfer to a Treatment Facility
Related JDF Procedures:
G1 Rights of Youth in Custody/Orientation
G6 Transportation of Youth
G11 Use of Physical and Mechanical Restraint
H5 Release of Youth
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Mental health services are provided in each Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF) for any youth in
need. A Mental Health Clinician is assigned to the JDF to provide services. The Probation
Department also contracts with community based organizations at both facilities to augment
these services through individual and group counseling sessions. New Morning Youth and
Family Services provide services at Juvenile Hall (JH), while Tahoe Youth and Family Services
provide services at the Juvenile Treatment Center (JTC).
Any youth expressing a desire to speak with Mental Health, and it is not deemed an emergency
by the Deputy Probation Officer – Institutions (DPO (I)) or shift supervisor, shall be referred to
the Mental Health Clinician. The officer will complete the top portion of the Mental Health
Referral form (#563N), and place the form in the designated area. The Mental Health Clinician
will contact the youth on their next shift.
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES
When a youth is exhibiting behavior indicative of a mental health crisis, the on duty Mental
Health Clinician must decide if the youth is in need of emergency services. The Mental Health
Clinician and shift supervisor will discuss the necessity or options for emergency services.
Transportation arrangements will be made by the shift supervisor, if found to be necessary.
If a youth is exhibiting behavior that is indicative of a mental health crisis and no Mental Health
Clinician is working at the JDF, then emergency services shall be pursued by the shift
supervisor. Mental Health Crisis shall be contacted by the shift supervisor or designee, when in-
house Mental Health staff is not available, if any of the following exists:
A youth is suspected of being a serious suicide candidate.
A youth’s behavior becomes particularly unusual or bizarre.
A youth becomes so violent he/she must be restrained and is no longer in control of
his/her self for a period of 15-20 minutes.
A youth appears to be in emotional distress and repeatedly requests to speak with a
Mental Health Clinician.
If the Mental Health representative confirms the need for inpatient psychiatric treatment, the
youth will be transported to the hospital and potential arrangements will be made for transport to
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