What is an Assessment Center?Assessment Centers are designed to prevent and divert youth from deeper involvement in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. They provide a single point of contact that identifies the root causes of concerning behavior and connects youth and families to individualized services and supports. Serving as neutral conveners, Assessment Centers create a trusted space where youth, families, and system partners can work toward shared goals. By operating outside of law enforcement, courts, child welfare agencies, schools, and healthcare systems, they build trust, foster communication, and coordinate services. Assessment Centers are not direct service providers—their role is to connect youth and families with the most appropriate community-based supports while collaborating with stakeholders to address service gaps and strengthen the local continuum of care. Referral PathwaysCenters engage youth through multiple entry points, including:
Using in-depth interviews and validated screening and assessment tools, Assessment Centers work to understand the barriers youth face at home, in school, or in the community. Staff then collaborate with youth and families to develop a plan and connect them to services—such as counseling, mentoring, basic needs support, or educational advocacy—that promote safety, stability, and long-term success. Domains of OperationAssessment Centers are responsive to local context and typically operate across one or more of the following domains: Juvenile JusticeWhen youth come into contact with law enforcement—through arrest, a court summons, or a status offense—Assessment Centers often serve as the first point of contact.
Child WelfareAssessment Centers partner with child welfare systems to provide early intervention and coordinated support when behavior may stem from trauma or instability at home.
PreventionMany youth are referred before any formal system involvement. Assessment Centers play a critical early intervention role, supporting families, schools, and community partners.
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