Department of Youth Services Responsibilities
Juvenile courts in Arkansas adjudicate and commit juveniles to the Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Youth Services (DYS). Once committed each juvenile coming into the system should receive a comprehensive evaluation of medical, psychological, social history, needs assessment, and educational needs. These evaluations are to aid DYS in determining the most appropriate placement for each juvenile. DYS has the exclusive authority for determining the most appropriate placement for a juvenile once the juvenile is committed to its custody. DYS is the division responsible for providing Arkansas youth with appropriate services and programs to help decrease the number of juvenile offenders in the state and to create a better future for the state's youth.
Ark Code Ann § 9-28-203 provides that DYS shall:
- Coordinate communication among the various components of the juvenile justice system;
- Oversee reform of the state's juvenile justice system;
- Provide services to delinquent and families-in-need-of-services youths;
- Conduct research into the causes, nature, and treatment of juvenile delinquency and related problems;
- Develop programs for early intervention and prevention of juvenile delinquency;
- Maintain information files on juvenile delinquents in the state;
- Actively pursue the maximization of federal funding for juvenile delinquency and related programs;
- Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the programs and services offered by the division and recommend changes to the Governor; and
- Do and perform all other actions and exercise all other authority not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this subchapter.
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