Special Programs

These programs have been developed by the Department in an attempt to treat moderate to high risk juvenile offenders within the community and avoid commitment to the state Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

The programs mentioned below target the juveniles top criminogenic risk factors and needs. If successful, not only is commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department avoided but we aspire to prevent further penetration into the Adult Criminal Justice System.

Special Programs Level 4 Probation

Our unit is comprised of 7 distinct programs all of which provide Intensive Supervised Probation Services (ISP) to court ordered youth.

Intensive Supervised Probation (ISP)

Purpose

The goal of ISP is to protect the safety of the El Paso community, to provide intensified services as an intermediate sanction alternative to removing juvenile offenders that require a higher level of control and supervision from the community, reduce commitment rates to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department as well as to develop competencies in individual offenders to promote long term behavioral changes to reduce recidivism and county costs.

The El Paso County Juvenile Justice Center’s Intensive Supervised Probation Program provides intensive supervision to youth’s court ordered to a level IV progressive sanction based on referral and/or adjudication history and also demonstrates “high needs.” Youths placed under the ISPP often have mental health and/or substance abuse or dependency issues making them at risk of removal from the community. Youths under the ISPP are eligible for placement in a residential treatment facility, post adjudication facility and/or commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

Dual Status Youth Program

Purpose

To facilitate and ensure effective coordination of supervision and services for those youth under the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) permanent (PMC) or temporary managing conservatorship (TMC) that have been adjudicated and placed on probation with the El Paso Juvenile Probation Department. The Dual Status Youth Program (DSYP) adheres to the “One Court One Judge” philosophy. This will be accomplished by ensuring the El Paso Juvenile Probation Department (EPJPD) and Department of Family and Protective Services coordinate information sharing and fiscal resources for the care of a dual status youth.

Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program

Purpose

Our program adheres to OJJDP Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines. The program targets youth 14-17 years of age who have a moderate or high risk to reoffend and who have been diagnosed with a moderate or severe substance use disorder. The program has four unique levels that guide the juvenile and family through the program. The programs provides the following:

Intensive Supervision
Outpatient Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment Services
Intensive Drug Testing
Case Management
Weekly Court Review before Judge Sam Medrano Jr.
Parenting Classes

Project HOPE - Special Needs Diversionary Program (SNDP)

Purpose

Project HOPE is 4-6 month mental health court program and is designed for post-adjudicated youth between the ages of 10-17 whom have been diagnosed with a priority mental health diagnosis other than or in addition to substance use disorder. The goal of the program is to reduce delinquency, increase offender accountability and rehabilitate juvenile offenders through a comprehensive, coordinated community-based juvenile probation system. The objective of Project HOPE is to provide court monitored intensive mental health and supervision services to juvenile offenders with mental illness in order to prevent their removal from the home and placement in costly residential facilities and reduce their juvenile justice involvement.

Serious and/or Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program (SHOCAP)

Purpose

To assist young people in avoiding delinquent behavior and provide protection to the public by promoting the concept of consequences for delinquent conduct, as well as providing treatment, training, and rehabilitation that emphasizes accountability and responsibility of both parents/guardians and children for their actions.

Sex Offender Program

Purpose

To provide intensive supervision to youth adjudicated of a reportable sex offense and ensure they receive intensive sex offender treatment by qualified Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Provider to aid in their rehabilitation and to avoid any future victimization.

Supervision in this program includes:

Monitoring the home, school and community to ensure youths are supervised at all times
Regular contacts with the therapist to ensure youth/family are engaged in treatment
Work on increasing protective factors and reducing risk factors
User of electronic monitor to detect if child is leaving the home; when applicable
Monitoring of internet usage and social media
Implementation of safety plans to prevent future victimization

Aftercare/Out of Home Placement Program

Purpose

When all of the above approaches fail or are determined to be inadequate to meet the needs of the juvenile and/or the protection of the community, out-of-home placement may be necessary. Placement outside the home may focus on treatment for the juvenile or may be used as a correctional measure. All youth placed in a residential facility will be assigned a dedicated probation officer and case manager to aid in the transition to and from placement.

Coordinated and joint case planning with JPD staff, residential facility providers, parents and youth.

  1. Canyon State Academy
  2. Rockdale
  3. Desert Lily
  4. Falcon Ridge
  5. Gulf Coast
  6. Lake Granbury
  7. Lava Heights
  8. New Outlook Academy
  9. Pegasus
  10. The Oaks
  11. Randall County Post-Adjudicated Facility