The Residential Treatment Services Bureau oversees Camp Operations and treatment services provided to youth who have been ordered Camp Community Placement.
There are three stages of Youth Camps: Youth is Assessed for Camp, Youth’s Camp Program, Youth is Released From Camp.
To learn more about each stage please explore the tabs below.
After a youth receives a disposition for a Camp Community Placement (CCP) order through the Juvenile Delinquency Court, the youth goes through an intensive, individualized assessment process to ensure the youth is placed in the camp that will best address their needs. The Assessment Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) conducting the assessment confers with Juvenile Court Health Services (JCHS), the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE), the youth’s Guardians, and the youth in a process known as the Multi Disciplinary Assessment or MDA. During the MDA, the Assessment DPO completes a Los Angeles Risk and Resiliency Check-up (LARRC) to identify areas in which the youth would benefit from services. The youth is assessed based on multiple criteria, including age, gender, camp program length (usually 3, 6, or 9 months), medical and mental health needs, educational services, substance use, and the youth’s interests. After a thorough assessment is completed by the Assessment DPO, the Assessment DPO identifies which Probation Residential Camp (link to Camps) is best suited to address the identified needs of that youth.
Once the Assessment DPO determines the best residential camp for the youth, the youth must await clearance from JCHS and DMH. Both agencies review the youth’s medical and mental health records and then determine whether the youth is cleared to move to the assigned camp. Once clearance is obtained, the youth is scheduled for movement to camp.
In some cases, during the Assessment or Clearance process, it is determined that the youth is not currently suitable for the camp setting. In these cases, a DPO re-assesses the youth’s needs and then petitions the Juvenile Delinquency Court for a Change of Plan on behalf of the youth. The DPO presents the Court with all relevant information obtained through the MDA and makes a recommendation for a disposition other than CCP. The Juvenile Delinquency Court considers the provided information and determines if an alternate disposition would better address the needs of the youth.
The goal of the residential camp programs is to reunify the minor with their family, to reintegrate the minor into the community, and to assist the minor in developing the social skills and behavior management skills needed to lead a law-abiding life. The residential camps provide youth with education, medical, and mental health services. Youth also have access to structured work experiences, vocational training, specialized tutoring, athletic activities, counseling services and various types of social enrichment. Additional programming is provided by Community Based Organizations (CBO) and varies by camp as each camp is tailored to its population and purpose. Refer to each camp regarding specific programming available to that camp.
Upon arrival to a residential treatment camp, the Orientation Officer begins the orientation process with the youth. The Orientation Officer allows the youth to contact his/her Guardians and explains the Camp process to the youth. Youth is informed how to receive services, programs offered at the camp, and what is expected of the youth. The youth is provided the Rules and Rights Handbook and assigned to a Deputy Probation Officer. JCHS and DMH then complete their assessment of the youth. LACOE completes their assessment the following morning.
Rules and Rights Handbook (Spanish)
An Initial MDT is scheduled within 10 days of a youth arriving to camp. Present at the Initial MDT are: the Camp MDT Coordinator, the youth’s Camp Probation Officer, a LACOE representative, a DMH Clinician, the youth, and the youth’s Guardian. A representative from JCHS is available if necessary.
During the Initial MDT, a case plan is developed that is tailored to the specific individual needs of the youth. This case plan will guide the youth’s camp program and include specific information regarding the services youth will need and the programs available to address those needs. The need for counseling services such as individual, group or family counseling are also addressed.
The youth’s family is an integral part of assisting the youth achieve the pre-determined goals and are encouraged to participate in the components geared towards family reunification.
The youth’s Probation Officer will monitor youth’s progress (or lack thereof) and assist youth to achieve the goals set forth in the case plan.
A Transitional MDT is scheduled 45 days prior to the youth’s projected release date from camp. Present at the Transitional MDT are MDT Coordinator, the youth’s Camp Probation Officer, the youth’s Field Probation Officer, a LACOE representative, a DMH Clinician, the youth, and the youth’s Guardian. A representative from JCHS is available if necessary.
During the Transitional MDT, the case plan is revisited and adjusted based on the youth’s progress and future needs. Youth and Guardian are provided information on what is expected from the youth when he/she is released from camp, the Conditions of Probation are explained, reporting instructions to DPO after release, and future court appearances. Youth is provided referrals to services that he/she may need in the community. All questions the youth and Guardian have are addressed and answered.
The As Needed MDT can take place any time during the youth’s camp program and is dependent on the needs of the youth. The As Needed MDT addresses the youth’s current areas of concern by modifying the case plan goals and objectives.
The goal of the BMP is for the youth to earn greater independence and privileges during their camp stay by demonstrating progress in behavior and self-control.
The BMP Program is a point system that allows youth to earn points daily based on their behavior. If the youth earns the number of points required for the day, then the youth is eligible to receive the BMP incentive for that day. Incentives vary by camp and can include special activities, programs, and extra personals. Additionally, the number of successful days youth earns the required number of points allows the youth to be considered for an early release.
Each camp has a four stage promotional system with specific promotional requirements for each stage. After youth earns the minimum number of points required in consecutive days, youth is eligible to promote to the next stage. As the youth progresses through the stages, youth receives greater independence and privileges. Additionally, youth at the higher stages receive greater incentives.
See information listed under each camp section (link to Camp info page) for the visiting hours for that facility. In special circumstances, special visits may be arranged.
Refer to the Personals List for information regarding personal belongings youth is allowed to have in their possession while in a residential camp.
Prior to the youth being released from camp, a Home Evaluation is conducted to deem whether the youth’s home is suitable for the youth to return to. If the youth does not have a home to return to or if the youth’s home is deemed unsuitable, the Probation Officer must find the youth a place to live after the completion of his/her camp program. If the youth is 17 ½ or younger, the youth is eligible to be placed in a suitable placement (link to suitable placement). If the youth is older than 17 ½, youth may be eligible for Independent Living Services or to have probation supervision terminated.
During the Transitional MDT , the Probation Officer and the collaborating partners discuss the available options with the youth and his/her Guardians to determine which path would best serve the needs of the youth. Youth and Guardian are also provided information on what is expected from the youth when he/she is released from camp, the Conditions of Probation are explained, reporting instructions to DPO after release, and future court appearances. Youth is provided referrals to services that he/she may need in the community. All questions the youth and Guardian have are addressed and answered.
Resource PDF’s
- Personals List
- Rights Handbook (Click Here for English | Click Here for Spanish)
Resource Web Links
- Juvenile Delinquency Courts
- Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
- Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
- Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)
- Department of Mental Health
- Department of Health
- Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)
- Sealing Juvenile Record
- 211
- Independent Living Program
- Public Counsel
- Public Defenders Office