A component of Twin Oaks Juvenile Development, Inc.

The Human Services Counselor, or Case Manager, is responsible for the overall development and implementation of the youth’s Service Plan.  The Human Services Counselor accepts responsibilities from the Case Management Coordinator, and the Director.  His or her responsibilities include screening/selection, performance planning, admission orientation, case management, transition planning and correspondence with judges, parents, and associated workers. 

COMPETENCY FACTORS:

 To be considered competent, a juvenile must have sufficient present capacity to:

• Appreciate the charges or allegations against him or her

• Appreciate the range and the nature of possible penalties, if applicable, which may be imposed in the proceedings against him or her

•  Understand the adversarial nature of the legal process

• Disclose to his or her attorney facts pertinent to the proceedings at issue

• Manifest appropriate courtroom behavior

• Testify relevantly

While the focus is on competency restoration, we also address mental retardation, mental illness, low self-esteem, issues related to abuse, aggressive behaviors, anger management, social skills, difficulty accepting responsibility and other habilitative needs which may reflect underlying contributing causes of competency deficits.  It is hoped that the youth will gain decision making, problem-solving, coping, educational, and social skills which will help them avoid legal and other difficulties in the future.  

STEPS TO COMPETENCY:

When a juvenile’s attorney, the attorney for the State, or the juvenile judge suspects a juvenile may be incompetent to proceed to trial due to mental illness and/or mental retardation, the court suspends court proceedings and orders mental health experts to evaluate the youth.

The juvenile court appoints at least two, but not more than three experts to evaluate the juvenile’s competency.  If mental retardation is suspected, the court orders an expert with the Developmental Services Program, Department of Children and Families, to evaluate the youth.

Based on expert reports or testimony at a court hearing, the juvenile judge determines a youth’s competency to proceed to trial.  If a youth is found incompetent and the delinquency charge is  a felony, the youth may be ordered to participate in competency training and treatment. If the judge determines that a youth requires competency training, secure residential facility, he/she will be placed at Apalachicola Forest Youth Camp.

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