The Montgomery County Youth Center is a 48-bed co-ed residential facility where ten to eighteen year old juveniles reside while they are awaiting juvenile court hearings. The Youth Center operates two separate and independent programs: a 36-bed Secure Detention unit that houses juveniles alleged to have committed a delinquent act and a 12-bed Shelter which houses juveniles for minor delinquent offenses and dependency issues such as runaway, truant or ungovernable behavior. Physically or sexually abused juveniles can also be placed in the Shelter.
The primary objective of the Youth Center is to provide for the physical and emotional well being of all residents in a safe and secure environment. The community is thereby safeguarded while residents are held accountable for their behavior and learn new skills to effect positive change in their lives. Juveniles in our custody are provided with round the clock direct supervision by the shelter staff (Youth and Family Advocates) or detention staff (Secure Detention Counselors).
Another vital role of the Youth Center is to provide to the court a full psychosocial evaluation for use at the time of the resident’s disposition hearing. An educational assessment and behavioral evaluation are completed on each resident. Most residents receive a psychological evaluation and many receive a psychiatric evaluation. These reports, along with a full social and criminal investigation conducted by the Juvenile Probation department, all aid the Judge in determining a suitable disposition for the child.
A third role is to initiate relevant and appropriate treatment services that are necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the juveniles during their stay in the Center. Our hope is to provide every juvenile with a positive and helpful experience designed to enable the child to return to the community or prepare him or her for possible residential placement for the next several months.
