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A Case Manager daily monitors cases, processing all necessary elements and preparing for the next hearing without any unnecessary delays or continuances, i.e., competency reports, predisposition reports (PDR), evaluations, etc. Case Managers are responsible for all correspondence regarding each specific case, assisting magistrates in the courtroom and coordinating with internal departments and agencies in the community of various programs and services.
Case Managers ensure the case is processed properly working with the Clerk of Courts, and maintaining efficient case flow based upon the time established by the Supreme Court.
Contact Us
For more information, please call us at 330-740-2244, ext. 6529.
Responsibilities
The purpose of the Clerk of Courts is to receive, examine and record all motions, orders, and other papers filed in each case; enters indexes, dockets and certifies all Judgment entries and Magistrate's Orders, Processes BCI forms for criminal cases, and collects all revenue relating to filing fees, court costs, bonds, fines, and forfeitures. The Clerk of Courts is responsible for transferring cases to other Courts and jurisdictions when required, process applications for Attorney Fees, process and finalize all judgment entries and magistrate's orders and dispose of all cases. Clerks assist the public with questions and filings on their cases.
The aim of Court provided clinical services is consistent with the Court’s overall philosophy of holding youth accountable for their actions, and ultimately reducing recidivism. For youth referred for ongoing counseling services, a thorough diagnostic assessment will be conducted to assist with developing an individualized treatment plan tailored to the youth’s unique needs. Diverse therapeutic techniques are utilized to address identified. In addition, for purposes of safety, the Court’s therapy staff is responsible for screening detained students and assisting with decisions regarding safety.
Clinical Services Department staff receive extensive training related to trauma and resiliency, as well as various therapy specializations. Specialized services for the assessment and therapeutic treatment of youth that have been adjudicated for sexual offenses is available through order of the court.
Community based services/programs will be explored to determine the most appropriate treatment setting and ensure continuity of care. It is important to note that during these processes, the need for the family/caretaker to take an active role in their child’s treatment cannot be overstated.
Who is eligible to participate?
Our services are available to any Mahoning County resident who is seeking help with their minor child(ren). Staff can assist with exploring the benefits and potential risks of services provided at the Court and help to determine the best option for you and your child.
Length of Program?
The length of treatment is determined by the service provided, the nature of the issues addressed, and the agreed upon treatment goals.
Any Program cost to Parents/Youth ?
There is no direct cost to youth or families.
Karen Guerrieri-Marr, LPCC/S, LICDC, SWA
Clinical Supervisor
330-740-2244 Ext. 6412
[email protected]
Michael Wilson, MSW, LSW
Justice Center Counselor
330-740-2244 Ext. 6586
[email protected]
Laura Blanco, LSW
Mediator and Parent Project Facilitator
330-740-2244, ext. 6401
[email protected]
Contracted Counselor
James DeLucia, LPCC/S
Owner and CEO
Innovation Counseling and Wellness Center
(330-333-9448)
[email protected] (business email)
[email protected] (court email)
Justice Center Policies Health & Behavioral Services Programs Staff Information Visitation
Mission
Protect the public; provide for those who appear before the Court using evidence-based methods to reduce recidivism, rehabilitate youth, and support families; comfort and care for victims; establishing and strengthening community partner relationships; and provide juvenile justice education to the community.
Vision
To provide a foundation for the youth, parents, and guardians of Mahoning County, and to build strong families and a caring, safe community.
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction extends to Mahoning County youth 17 and under. If the delinquent act was committed prior to the age of 18, jurisdiction may be extended to age 21. Youth from outside Mahoning County who are accused of an offense in Mahoning County, runaways, or those under court order, may also be detained in the MCJJC.
Overview
The Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center (MCJJC), located in Youngstown, Ohio, was established in 1979, as a 24-hour, 40-bed coed detention facility. The primary purpose of the MCJJC is to provide a secure and safe environment for youth during the Court hearing process on a delinquency charge or while awaiting placement or commitment to another facility.
Ron Chambers, Justice Center Administrator, oversees the daily operations of the MCJJC.
Potential employees must complete a background investigation, psychological evaluation, a physical, and a drug screen to be eligible for employment at the MCJJC.
Students placed in the Justice Center will have an arraignment hearing within seventy-two hours upon admission.
Current News and Future Projects
The MCJJC follows the guidelines and requirements set forth by the Ohio Department of Youth Services.
On July 15, 2015 the MCJJC implemented the R.A.I. Assessment, which gives the Justice Center and the Intake Department a releasing authority.
The MCJJC and other facilities assisted the Northeast Ohio Juvenile Detention Professional Development Project, and the Global Issues Resource Center at Cuyahoga Community College, in the development of a training curriculum for Juvenile Corrections Officers. The curriculum attempts to address deficiencies in staff training that can lead to turnover and increased operational costs. For more information on this curriculum, visit: http://www.creducation.org/cre/jdo/
Statistics
2020 Yearly Totals- Gender:
- 97 Male
- 17 Female
- Race:
- 65 Black
- 35 Caucasian
- 2 Hispanic
- 0 Other
- Average Intake per Month:
- Average Daily Population: 14
- Average Length of Stay: 6.75 days
- Average Age: 15.5
- Recidivism Rate and Percentage
| Number of Admissions | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 prior admission | 18 | 4 | 22 | 19.00% |
| 2 prior admissions |
11 | 1 | 12 | 10.50% |
| 3 prior admissions |
5 | 0 | 5 | 4.50% |
| 4 prior admissions |
3 | 0 | 3 | 3.00% |
| 5-10 prior admissions |
16 | 2 | 16 | 14.00% |
| 11-15 prior admissions |
5 | 0 | 5 | 4.50% |
| 16-20 prior admissions |
1 | 0 | 1 | 1.00% |
| 20+ prior admissions |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1st time admission |
38 | 12 | 50 | 43.50% |
| Yearly Totals | 97 | 17 | 114 | 100.00% |
Housing Information
Each student in MCJJC has a private room on a unit composed of 10 rooms and a large common space. Students are assigned to a unit based on age, charge(s), physical size, and sex. Two Juvenile Corrections Officers Supervise each unit during the waking hours and one supervises during sleeping hours.Placement
At times, the MCJJC place students in placement upon their release from the facility. Students may be released to the following placements:- Home or foster placement
- Residential treatment programs
- Day treatment
- Group homes
- Children and youth services (including Department of Youth Services)
- Transferred to other jurisdictions
- Mental health/Mental retardation agencies
Volunteering
Organizations and/or individuals interested in volunteering at the MCJJC should contact Ron Chambers (330-740-2244 ext. 6446) for information. Those interested must submit a volunteer application to the Court.
| Recidivism Rate and Percentage |
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| Recidivism Rate and Percentage |
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The Intake Department is the first entry point for all referrals and police reports made to the Court. Referrals include police reports, detention admissions, misdemeanor citations; transfer in for disposition or probation, referrals from schools or others social agencies, as well as phone-ins and walk-ins.
The responsibility of Intake is to divert cases when appropriate as stated in Ohio Juvenile Rule 9(A) which states “In all appropriate cases, formal court action should be avoided and other community resources utilized to ameliorate situations brought to the attention of the court.” The Intake Director reviews and records each police report and expedites those needing immediate attention. The remaining reports are then forwarded to the Intake Officers to cross-reference information and create the case in the computer. Intake screens all referrals to determine if they should be handled through an informal conference or referred to the Prosecutor’s Office in request of an official filing. All felonies and sexual offenses are referred to the Prosecutor for consideration of official charges. This determination is based on a number of factors such as:
- Prior court involvement
- Age of offender and/or victim
- Type & degree of offense-all felonies are referred to the Prosecutor’s Office
- Injury or property damage to victim
Police reports that are curfews, minor misdemeanors, including drugs/alcohol, or misdemeanors are handled through an Intake Conference or referred to the Probation Officer if the youth is open on probation.
Intake Officers through Intake Conferences also address referrals received from schools for either truancy or behaviors, social agencies or families. During the Conference the child and parent are given an opportunity to discuss concerns, strengths and issues that have brought them to the Court’s attention. Intake Officers take into consideration the behavior of the child, school status and family dynamics which may be contributing to the incorrigible behavior. Upon conclusion of the Conference, the Officer will make recommendations for Court or community programming that may be appropriate.
The OYAS Diversion/Detention Tools are used to score level risk, as is the PHQ-9 Modified for Teens, ACE, PCE, TSC, and the CRAFFT 2.1 + N. The following Court programs are options: Parent Project, mental health counseling, drug/alcohol services, Mediation, Girls Circle, Boys Programming, and Community Service.
Another function of Intake occurs when a youth enters the Justice Center. Each morning the admissions sheets are collected, parents are contacted with an Arraignment time, and a copy of the police report and admission paperwork is given to the Prosecutor’s Office. Cases may be diverted from the official docket and assigned to an Intake Officer at the time of release from the Justice Center or if the Prosecutor’s Office declines to file charges.
All tobacco and traffic citations are official.
Probation is a legal status imposed by court order following an adjudication that determines that a child is delinquent, unruly, or a juvenile traffic offender. The child is permitted to remain in his or her home subject to supervision that is provided by the probation department.
To expedite the supervision of offenders and protection of the community, specialized caseloads have been developed. Officers working these caseloads become experts in a particular area and manage offenders who present unique or multiple problems. We provide the following types of probation:
- Non-Reporting: Provides Supervision to low risk youth throughout Mahoning County.
- Community-Based: Regular probation supervised by officers assigned to the various geographic areas of Mahoning County.
- Special Needs: Provides supervision to youths who are adjudicated sex offenders or who have been diagnosed with mental health issues.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mahoning County Juvenile Probation Department is to provide evidence based services that will protect the community from further delinquency, to enforce graduated sanctions and offer least restrictive rehabilitative opportunities that are in the best interest of the juvenile and their family.
Mission of the Probation Officer: Provides for the protection of the community and its citizens by providing investigations, recommendations and reports for the Courts, enforcing orders of the Courts, and securing supervision and treatment for probationers who are under the jurisdiction of the Mahoning County Juvenile Court and its Probation Department. The Probation Department works to keep the community safe, to assist students in developing competencies, and to hold them accountable for their unlawful behaviors. We strive to remain diligent in our duty to monitor the youth on Probation in Mahoning County.