ABOUT DOROTHY KIRBY CENTER

Purpose & Operations

ABOUT DOROTHY KIRBY CENTER

Dorothy Kirby Center (DKC) is a Residential Treatment Center offering a secure, therapeutic environment where multiple agencies, including Probation, the Department of Mental Health, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, and the Juvenile Court Health Services, work collaboratively. The campus has living units with up to 10 beds, plus facilities for school, recreation, dining, administration, and chapel.

Dorothy Kirby Center is the only secured treatment facility in Los Angeles County, offering specialized care for adolescents with certain diagnosis coupled with emotional and behavioral challenges. Our multidisciplinary team consists of partner agencies (DMH, Juvenile Court Health Services, LACOE, Education Services), sworn Deputy Probation Officers (DPOs), along with our treatment clinical team. Our clinical support team is our Treatment and Counseling Unit that consists of DPOs who are Associate Clinical Social Workers and/or Marriage and Family Therapists under the supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)/Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). DMH clinicians and psychiatrist provide therapeutic interventions and oversees individual and group therapy, medication support, crisis intervention, and case management. The T & C DPOs also facilitate individual therapy and substance abuse education.

DKC plays a crucial role in the juvenile justice system by offering an alternative to incarceration that prioritizes mental health treatment, personal growth, and rehabilitation. By providing individualized care and supportive services, DKC helps justice-involved youth build the foundation for a better future, ultimately benefiting both the youth and the broader community.