If your child (age 10 to 17) has committed an offense, the law enforcement agency making the arrest may bring your child to Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC). If the juvenile is transported to JIAC by the arresting agency, the screening process will be completed by one of our Intake Specialists.

When transported to JIAC, your child is in the custody of law enforcement. Every effort will be made to determine the safest and most appropriate release of your child, with most returned to their parents at the conclusion of the process.

In some cases, law enforcement officers have the discretion to either transport directly to JIAC or release to parents with a Notice and Agreement to Appear. In either case, JIAC is still mandated to screen the youth. Youth can be brought to JIAC by any law enforcement officer.

Youth can be brought in as either an offender or Child in Need of Care (CINC). If brought in as an offender, JIAC is required to book the youth, and in some cases, mandated by state statute to fingerprint the youth and collect DNA.

It is not necessary to have an attorney present for the JIAC screening. Information gained by the Intake Specialist cannot be used to determine guilt or innocence in court and will not be used by the District Attorney’s Office when making decisions about possible charges.

Screenings are done primarily so that appropriate services can be offered to youth and families based on strengths and needs identified during the interview process. Data is also provided to the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority pursuant to Kansas state statutes.

There are a number of different services that can be offered to youth and families. Services may include Case Management, substance abuse services, mental health services, family counseling, and anger management.

Based on the screening interview, validated assessment tools, and the presenting circumstances, a placement decision will occur. The youth may be released, placed on House Arrest, or detained at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Depending on the offense, and the circumstances, it may be mandatory that the youth is detained. The authorization to release or place the youth on House Arrest will not be options in these circumstances. Community safety has to be carefully monitored, and if a youth has serious offenses, or a lengthy history of offenses, placement in the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) may be warranted.

If the Intake Specialist has any reason to believe a youth is not safe to return home, alternative placements may be pursued. If the youth reports any type of abuse or neglect, Intake Specialists are mandated to report these allegations to the Kansas Department of Social Rehabilitation Services (SRS).

The Intake Specialist will attempt to make contact with the parent or legal guardian of the juvenile and notify the parent that the youth is at JIAC. The youth will not be released to any other adult without authorization from the parent or legal guardian. If a parent cannot be contacted, the juvenile will be detained in the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center, and a detention hearing will be set for the following business day. Once the youth has been detained, he/she cannot be released without authority from the court. The Intake Specialist does not have authority to release a youth that is placed in detention.

Since an arrest was made, it is required that the arresting agency’s police report is submitted to the District Attorney’s office. Regardless of the placement decision that is made by the Intake Specialist, it is entirely up to the District Attorney’s Office to determine if charges will be filed against the juvenile.

If the youth is released to a parent or guardian by the Intake Specialist, the District Attorney’s Office may still elect to file charges in the case. Should this occur, you will be notified by the DA’s Office of the scheduled date and time the youth will need to appear in court.

All referrals made by JIAC Intake Specialists are completely voluntary. However, participation in these services is viewed favorably by the District Attorney’s Office and the courts, especially when diversion may be an option.

Confidentiality is a high priority, and any records or information obtained through the screening process regarding the youth and their families are protected. Information and records will only be released to other agencies as determined necessary by the JIAC Manager in order for the youth and families to obtain needed services and/or to further facilitate treatment. JIAC records are governed by state law and are only released to authorized agencies and/or JIAC partners in accordance with those laws.