All first-time adjudicated felony sex offenders are evaluated for risk to the community and suitability for community based treatment. State certified sex offender therapists then evaluate the youth for risk to the community and amenability to be treated locally. These reports are then given to Court at a disposition hearing. Intensive outpatient treatment coupled with intensive community supervision has proven to be highly successful with the majority of juvenile sex offenders. Weekly contact between the probation officers and therapist allows for immediate sanctions if the Court order or probation contract terms are not being adhered to.
Therapists intervene to change and reduce negative behaviors.
Youth and their families are referred following a determination that they are moderate to high risk and meet the eligibility requirements based on the risk assessment tool. The intervention occurs in a five-step process that takes an average of twelve weeks to complete. The purpose is not to create healthy families but to obtain changes in behavior. The change takes place within the context of the family consistent with relationships between family members. Interventions are tailored to the specific family.