Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 43 - PUBLIC WELFARE (§§ 43-1-1 — 43-NEW01-012) › Chapter 27 - DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES (§§ 43-27-1 — 43-27-401) › IN GENERAL (§§ 43-27-1 — 43-27-39) › Section 43-27-20 - [Repealed Effective 7/1/2026] Office of Community Services; Director

(a)
Within the Division of Youth Services there shall be an Office of Community Services, which shall be headed by a director appointed by and responsible to the Director of the Division of Youth Services. Each director shall hold a master's degree in social work or a related field and shall have no less than three (3) years' experience in social services, or in lieu of such degree and experience, the director shall have a minimum of eight (8) years' experience in social work or a related field. Each director shall employ and assign the community workers to serve in the various areas in the state and any other supporting personnel necessary to carry out the duties of the Office of Community Services.
(b)
The Director of the Office of Community Services shall assign probation and aftercare workers to the youth court or family court judges of the various court districts upon the request of the individual judge on the basis of caseload and need, when funds are available. The Director of the Office of Community Services is authorized to assign a youth services counselor to various court districts upon the approval of the appropriate judge and the Director of the Division of Youth Services.
(c)
Any counties or cities which, on July 1, 1973, have court counselors or similar personnel may continue using this personnel or may choose to come within the statewide framework.
(d)
A probation and aftercare worker may be transferred by the division from one (1) court to another after consultation with the judge or judges in the court to which the employee is currently assigned.
(e)
The Office of Community Services shall have such duties as the Division of Youth Services shall assign to it which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(i)
Preparing the social, educational and home-life history and other diagnostic reports on the child for the benefit of the court or the training school; however, this provision shall not abridge the power of the court to require similar services from other agencies, according to law.
(ii)
Serving in counseling capacities with the youth or family courts.
(iii)
Serving as probation agents for the youth or family courts.
(iv)
Serving, advising and counseling of children under the control of the Division of Youth Services as may be necessary to the placement of the children in their proper environment upon release and the placement of children in suitable jobs where necessary and proper.
(v)
Supervising and guiding of children released or conditionally released from institutions under the control of the Division of Youth Services.
(vi)
Coordinating the activities of supporting community agencies which aid in the social adjustment of children released from the institution and in an aftercare program.
(vii)
Providing linkage and/or referral for services leading to the rehabilitation of delinquents, either within the division or through cooperative arrangements with other appropriate agencies.
(viii)
Providing counseling and supervision for any child under ten (10) years of age who has been brought to the attention of the court when other suitable personnel is not available and upon request of the court concerned.
(ix)
Supervising the completion of aftercare programs and/or making revocation investigations at the request of the court.
(x)
Implementing a Standardized Risk Assessment Tool for use in the community.
(xi)
Developing and implementing a graduated sanctions policy for use within the community.
(e)
This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026.
Laws, 1973, ch. 438, § 10; Laws, 1998, ch. 552, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 351, § 1; Laws, 2003, ch. 494, § 1; Laws, 2009, ch. 396, § 1; Laws, 2012, ch. 470, § 5, eff. 6/30/2012.
Amended by Laws, 2023, ch. 454, SB 2369,§ 5, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by Laws, 2019, ch. 372, HB 1147,§ 5, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Laws, 2015, ch. 403, SB 2199, 6, eff. 7/1/2015.