Juvenile Assessment Centers (JACs) or community assessment centers are essentially screening and classification programs that assess the nature and extent of risks to and from arrested juveniles. This article presents a brief account of the Hillsborough County (Tampa, Florida) JAC, a model for JACs that is currently being implemented throughout Florida and is suggested as a prototype for communities throughout the nation. Identifying, assessing, referring, and ensuring that services for juveniles are delivered and received is extremely important given current levels and recent increases in both violent crime and drug use among U.S. youth.
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