Attorney & Guardian Ad Litem Resources

This page was created to educate and inform Attorneys and Guardians Ad Litem (GAL) on the resources and support available to young people who become justice-involved in Harris County. We hope this page serves as a guide to the array of department and community based resources available for justice-involved youth.

Texas Young Lawyers Association: Juvenile Justice System: What You Need to Know

Hospital Liaison Committee for Jehovah's Witnesses: Religious & Ethical Position on Medical Therapy & Related Matters

Residential Services

Our Residential Services Division encompasses one, pre-adjudicated facility (Harris County Juvenile Detention Center) and two, post-adjudicated facilities (Harris County Youth Village in Seabrook, Texas and Harris County Leadership Academy in Katy, Texas.)

These three facilities provide direct supervision, direct care, and mental health and behavioral treatment programs and services. Each facility employs specific treatment programs designed with key, program components.

Key program components include:

  • Comprehensive assessments and individualized treatment approaches addressing:
      • Behavioral, educational, mental health, medical and substance abuse needs.
  • Academic programs that provide a variety of opportunities, including special education, GED testing, and vocational training.
  • Wrap around services introduced during a young person's stay that continue after release to provide ongoing support to the family.
  • Evidence-based volunteer and staff programs that introduce changes in thinking, promote vital social skills, and reinforce rehabilitation.
  • Collaborative efforts between staff and family focused on the young person's successful integration back into their community. 

Young people placed in our residential facilities are assigned a Youth Development Coordinator (a caseworker) who collaborates with the family and coordinates the young person's overall treatment plan. Attorneys and Guardians Ad Litem (GAL) are encouraged to participate in their client's required meetings with the Youth Development Coordinator.

Harris County Youth Village Treatment Programs

BOYS Program (Male Only)

The BOYS Program is housed at Harris County Youth Village and is approximately three months in length. This program utilizes trauma-informed treatment and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) to address the effects of trauma within a nurturing and attachment based community. An individualized treatment plan specific to each youth will be developed and appropriate therapeutic interventions will be utilized such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), and Expressive Arts. Improving the youth’s relationship with their primary caregivers is a cornerstone of the program and is addressed through Family Therapy and Family Engagement Weekends. Maintaining good behavior and participating in therapy allows the residents to earn incentives and privileges.

GIRLS Program (Female Only)

The GIRLS program is a residential trauma program at Harris County Youth Village and is approximately three months in length. Many of the girls have experienced multiple traumas such as sexual abuse and/or human trafficking, or are considered “at-risk.” An individualized treatment plan tailored to each youth’s specific trauma will be developed and appropriate therapeutic interventions will be utilized such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), and Expressive Arts. Improving the youth’s relationship with their primary caregivers is a cornerstone of the program and is addressed through Family Therapy and Family Engagement Weekends. Maintaining good behavior and participating in therapy allows the residents to earn incentives and privileges.

Harris County Leadership Academy Treatment Programs

QUEST (Male Only)

The QUEST program is a 24 bed secured treatment program located at Harris County Leadership Academy (HCLA). Staff deliver comprehensive intensive therapeutic services to teens who failure to respond to standard treatment and their continued serious offenses have warranted their placement in this 36 week treatment program. The QUEST program seeks to rehabilitate youth by focusing on helping youth understand interpersonal processes, acquire social skills, and improve normative social connections, while keeping TJJD eligible youth, close to home and connected to their family.

MEZZO (Male Only)

The MEZZO program is a secured treatment program located at Harris County Leadership Academy (HCLA). This program strives to keep justice involved youth close to home, while providing intensive cognitive behavioral interventions through multiple layers of therapy including anger management , conflict resolution, and problem solving skills through a restorative justice model and a social emotional learning therapy skills groups. This program is approximately 12 weeks designed as an intervention for mid-level risk youth who are habitual re- offenders but have not exhausted all local treatment programs with HCJPD.

Private Placements

Another option for placement can be through one of our contracted private placements. The purpose of Private Placement Supervision (PPS) is to provide young people placed in HCJPD care with the resources to address their behavioral and mental health needs.

PPS maintains contracts with in-state and out-of-state licensed residential facilities. Specially trained Juvenile Probation Officers monitor the progress of the young person while they are in the residential treatment facility.

Once the young person returns home, they are supervised by a community officer. This arrangement ensures that the family remains connected to community resources aimed at assisting the young person in transitioning smoothly back into their community.

Below you will find information about our contracted private placements.

Private Placements

In Texas:

Center for Success and Independence (Non-secure, Coed)

The Center for Success and Independence (TCSI) is a residential and intensive outpatient treatment program in Houston, Texas for adolescents, ages 12-17, whose psychological and emotional disorders, substance abuse and/or history of trauma have impaired their behavioral functioning and adversely affected their everyday home, school and community environments.

The Center for Success and Independence

 

Pegasus Schools, Inc. (Non-secure, Male Only)

The overall goal of the Pegasus Program is to break the cycle of sexual abuse; stop the sexually abusive and other criminal or harmful behavior exhibited by the residents, ultimately resulting in no subsequent sexual offenses. The therapeutic approach is a cognitive behavioral framework including providers with specialized training and licensure to provide sexual behavior problem specific treatment. The goals of treatment include victim empathy, accepting responsibility, comprehension of offense cycle, comprehension of laws and statutes, and development of effective coping skills focusing on high-risk situations. Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Providers (L.S.O.T.P.) conduct intensive regular group therapy, which has proven historically to be the single most effective avenue to true positive change in the sexualized behavior population. Individual therapy is provided as needed as well as family therapy sessions.

Pegasus Schools, Inc.

 

Grayson County (Secure, Male Only)

Grayson County is a secure treatment program for youth aged 10 to 17 years old. They have three specialized programs that focus on Behavioral Health, Sex Offender, and Substance Use. Grayson's average length of stay is 6 to 9 months. This program is eligible for Regionalization Diversion program.

Grayson County

 

Victoria County (Secure, Coed)

Victoria Regional Juvenile Justice Center provides a wide range of services aimed at heightening a juvenile's understanding of social responsibilities, empathy and self-discipline. They provide moderate, specialized care for all residents, including pregnant females. The services provided include, counseling- individual and family; pregnant offenders-OB/GYN prenatal, post-partum care, physical activities, parenting classes and the Baby, Think It Over Program, group services-anger management, Truthought, specialized group and substance / drug education, and additional services-contract psychiatric, the Hope Center, volunteer and religious services, educational and simulator welding class.

Victoria County Juvenile Services

 

Renewed Strength (Non-secure, Coed)

The treatment program at Renewed Strength, Inc. includes intensive individual and group therapy, which address underlying factors that contribute to the emotional and behavioral problems of the child. Licensed clinicians also provide drug abuse counseling, family therapy and life skills training including the PALS program. Summer enrichment programs are provided which are team sports and lifelong leisure skills.

Program Services | Renewed Strength inc.

 

CTK Juvenile Correctional Treatment Center (Secure, Coed)

The Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department's Krier Juvenile Correctional Treatment Center has implemented the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) framework for maximizing the selection and use of evidence-based prevention and intervention practices along a multi-tiered continuum that supports the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral competence of all residents. Included in this framework, Krier has adopted Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a trauma informed model, throughout the facility for treatment of complex trauma and associated behavior change. The facility also incorporates trauma informed practices such as softened facility environment, strengths based approaches, and incentive based interventions.

Krier Center | Bexar County, TX - Official Website

 

Lubbock County Juvenile Justice System (Secure, Coed)

Behavioral Modification Program:

(1) Reduce criminal behavior, especially acts of violence, (2) Achieve respect for self and others, (3) Develop respect for community, (4) Increase coping and problem solving skills, (5) Improve academic and/or vocational skills.

Specialized Sex Offender Program:

(1) Eliminate illegal and deviate sexual cognition and behavior, (2) Reduce criminal behavior, especially acts of violence, (3) Achieve respect for self and others, (4) Develop respect for community, (5) Increase coping and problem solving skills, (6) Improve academic and/or vocational skills.

Juvenile Justice Center / Lubbock County, Texas

 

Out-of-State Facilities: 

Woodward Academy (Non-secure, Coed)

The Community Residential Program serves male and female students 12-18 years of age, or the age of majority from the referring state. The length of stay is typically 4-6 months with the flexibility to extend to 9- 12 months if needed. Students learn how to hold themselves and others accountable by developing the ability to confront and appropriately deal with negative behaviors. Successful completion of this program entails advancing through each of the four program phases, applying the cognitive pieces they are learning, and being involved in the Knights Club. The four phases of the program explore areas of victim empathy, taking responsibility for their actions, learning alternatives to their behaviors, and relapse prevention.

Woodward Academy


Monarch Academy

Monarch Academy is a facility part of the Rite of Passage company.  They provide trauma-informed, holistic treatment approach to our young women who need residential care.  Following thorough assessment and evaluation, their staff work with the youth and her family to develop a treatment plan tailored to each young woman’s individual needs.  The treatment services include evidence-based curricula that help the youth to understand her feelings, emotions, and strengths.  The Monarch Academy strongly encourages family involvement, recognizing that positive communication with the home increases the chance for success.  They also partner with Sherman ISD year round schooling providing each student with individual educational needs. 

Monarch Academy


Lake Granbury Youth Services

Lake Granbury Youth Services is a facility part of the Rite of Passage company.  Lake Granbury Youth Services provides secure residential treatment programming to males.  The program specialized trauma-informed programming for youth with histories of trauma, sexual abuse, and human trafficking.  Lake Granbury uses research-validated assessment instruments to evaluate criminogenic risk factors, and uses other emotional and ability assessments to develop a treatment plan for each youth.  They provide individual, group, and family counseling.  Family engagement is also critical to youth success and encourage the family to participate in the counseling.   Lone Star Success Academy provides a year-round education including career education. Some of the career fields include ServSafe Food Handler and Manager Certification, Petroleum Oil and Gas Certification, Weight Training; IACD Rig Pass Training; and Microsoft Office Certification.

Lake Granbury Youth Services


The Oaks Brownwood

The Oaks Brownwood is a facility part of the Rite of Passage company.  The Oaks is a certified secure post-adjudicated facility that provides comprehensive services to young men using a strengths-based, gender-responsive model.  Through rigorous education, positive skill development, and individual therapeutic interventions, we empower youth to reach their full potential.  Driven by the youth’s assessed needs, an individual treatment plan is created that prescribes individual and group therapy. 

The Oak Brownwood


Boy's Town 

Boy’s Town is located in Nebraska. The facility has family-style residential homes and focuses on providing and teaching social and independent-living skills. They also focus on building healthy relationships. This program services males and females between the ages of 13 and 17.

Boy's Town


TLW Transformation Center 

TLW Transformation Center is a brand new non-secure residential program located in the Houston area. This program is for females, ages 6 to 17, with emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns. The program provides independent living skills and individual, group, and family counseling services. They also offer skills-based services.

TLA Transformation Center

Health Services

Our Health Services Division is responsible for our medical, psychological, and specialized treatment programs.

Intake & Court Services

Our Intake & Court Services Division is the initial point of contact for families and young people who become justice-involved. Several family-oriented, early intervention, and prevention services are provided through Intake & Court Services.

Youth Diversion & Development

Our Youth Diversion & Development Division serves justice-involved young people in their community and seeks to direct them away from further system involvement by providing informal alternatives to formal diversion programs and court proceedings.