Polk County Juvenile Department

Trish Reding, Manager

Mission Statement 

Polk County Juvenile Department serves youth and their families within our community with dedication and commitment. This is achieved by providing prevention, intervention, and management support services that contribute to the protection and enrichment of their lives and the lives of the Polk County residents. The Juvenile Department works closely with Polk County Youth Programs.
 

PRIMARY GOALS

• Prevention
  Creating an environment that nurtures healthy, law abiding youth requires education and awareness, counseling, and diversion. The Juvenile Department is proactively working towards this goal by providing a variety of community outreach opportunities, including classroom and parent education, drug and alcohol program assistance, and through community service integration.
   

• Intervention
  Helping youth out of trouble and into a positive and productive lifestyle may require a variety of services ranging from individual guidance, family counseling, or multi-agency collaboration and problem solving. Intervention includes individual needs assessment, plan development, implementation, and accountability. It also involves referrals and placement, and diversion from formal sanctions.
   

• Management
  Caring for troubled youth with more serious offenses requires additional protective and corrective services, including needs assessment, case plans, recommendations to courts and families, and enforcement procedures.

Community Protection
The public has a right to a safe and secure community.

Accountability
Whenever an offense occurs, an obligation by the offender incurs.

Balance
Justice is best served when the community, victim, and the offender receive balanced attention and all gain tangible positive outcomes from their involvement with probation.