We need to know as much information about the youth and his or her family to make appropriate recommendations for treatment and sentencing.

Most likely this has happened because his or her case has been transferred to a Social Services Division diagnostic team for the completion of a social study. Your new probation officer has the responsibility to prepare a thorough document for the judge that provides in-depth information on the child. This includes arrest record, family background, education and health histories, and an assessment of identified strengths and needs. The social study concludes with a recommended treatment plan. During the social study period, the diagnostic probation officer must monitor the youth if he or she remains in the community prior to sentencing. This is not only to ensure compliance with conditions the judge made on release, but also to assess the youth's amenability to community-based supervision.

The Court orders or requests psychological evaluations to provide information to judges, probation officers, and parents regarding the educational, emotional, and social needs of the child/adolescent for the purpose of planning appropriate interventions.

The Child Guidance/Family Counseling Clinic provides comprehensive testing, evaluation and counseling services to court involved youth and their families.

Your probation officer or the judge referred you because they felt your family could benefit from these services so that your child does not return to the criminal justice system.

As with any evaluation, parents assist the child or adolescent in finding the Clinic and being prepared for the evaluation, and they provide emotional support. Parents are also an important source of information regarding the child's health, education, development, and adjustment. Parents also ask questions and present their concerns. Parents are essential participants in the assessment as they complete questionnaires that contribute to the comprehensive evaluation.

The services of the Court’s mediation programs (part of the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division) are free to anyone who lives in the District of Columbia. To get the most out of the Court’s mediation programs, you need to make a good-faith effort to resolve your dispute in a manner that considers everyone concerned.

Each evaluation is tailored to the child's age, education, rate of response, and specific need. Since the evaluations are comprehensive, it may require several hours to complete all aspects of the assessment.

The Social Services Division provides 16 sessions with families. The sessions are held weekly for approximately 45 to 60 minutes each.

Two years from the termination date of a probation order, a request (motion) can be filed with the Family Court to seal the juvenile record. This can only occur if the child has not been found guilty or in need of supervision or convicted of a crime during the two year period. He or she must have no pending proceedings.