Contact Information
Address:
520 King Street, Suite 156
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone:
(703) 746-4144
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with the exception of State and Federal holidays)
Walk-in Intake Hours:
Monday through Friday for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Overview
The 18th District Court Service Unit (CSU), also commonly referred to as Court Services or the Alexandria Court Services Unit, is a component of the The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and provides services to the City of Alexandria. Such services may include appropriate assessments, programs, treatments, and other services to youth and families in need. Moreover, DJJ protects the public by preparing court-involved youth to be successful members of their community.
Juvenile Intake – Intake services are provided 24 hours a day. The intake officer has the authority to receive, review, and process complaints. Based on the information gathered, the officer determines whether a petition should be filed with the juvenile court and, if so, whether the juvenile should be released to the parents or detained pending a court hearing.
Investigations and Reports – Social histories make up the majority of the reports that CSU personnel complete. Social histories describe the social adjustment of the youth before the court and provide timely, relevant, and accurate data. This helps the court determine what will happen to the youth, and the most appropriate services for the juvenile and the family.
Domestic Relations – In addition to handling complaints about youth, CSUs provide services for domestic relations complaints, which can include non-support, family abuse, adjudication of custody (permanent and temporary), abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, visitation rights, paternity, and emancipation.
Probation – The most common consequence for a juvenile who has been found guilty of a charge is probation supervision. DJJ’s probation officers constantly strive to achieve a "balanced approach," focusing on the principles of community protection (public safety), accountability, and competency development.
Parole Services – After they are released from Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center or private placement, youth offenders are provided parole services to help them transition back to the community. Parole officers provide case management services, arrange for appropriate transitional services, and monitor the offender's adjustment to the community. Juveniles may receive family and individual counseling, referral to other community services, vocational services, or specialized educational services.
Treatment Services – CSU therapists provide clinical services free of charge to court-involved youth and families appearing before the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Current service offerings include:
- Biopsychosocial Assessments
- Individual and Family Therapy
- Psychosexual Evaluations
- Co-Parenting Assessments
- Co-Parenting Counseling/Development of Parenting Plans
- Substance Abuse Assessments and Treatment Groups
- Referrals to Community Providers
Focus on Parenting is a court-ordered parent education course specifically for parents and caregivers involved in custody and visitation issues. The group class consists of one four-hour session that addresses the effects of the parents’ separation on the children, and development of functional communication skills. Participants learn about child development, and the legal definitions of custody, outlining what is meant by the Best Interests of the Child. The course is offered free of charge in both English and Spanish.
Forensic Internship Program - Senior therapists offer valuable learning opportunities for master’s level students in counseling and social work through a paid forensic internship program. Learning opportunities include providing clinical services to court-involved youth and families, courtroom observation, program evaluation, and cross-system training.
Crime Prevention Programs – Youth Service Coordinators and volunteer mentors provide case management, individual and family services, and one-to-one and group education that builds moral reasoning, anger management, and life skills. Goals of services are to address issues of trauma and risky behavior, and to empower youth to succeed in school, at home, and in the community. The following evidence-based services are provided:
Third Millennium Classroom provides on-line courses positively impact delinquent behaviors including youth violence, substance abuse, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and other risky behaviors.
Alexandria Mentoring Partnership – The Alexandria Mentoring Partnership (AMP), formed in 2006, is comprised of a variety of local mentoring programs with the shared mission of ensuring that quality mentors and mentoring programs are available for Alexandria's youth and young adults in need. With guidance and resources from the Virginia Mentoring Partnership, AMP works to maximize mentor recruitment, screening, and training, and ensure best practice programs. Visit the AMP website for information about how to get involved.
Space of Her Own – Transforming spaces and transforming lives, Space of Her Own (SOHO) empowers preteen girls from under-resourced communities through visual arts, carpentry, life-skills lessons and creative one-to-one mentoring. Our first-year programs serve fifth grade girls. Matched with volunteer adult mentors, girls experience the visual arts as a means for self-expression and confidence building. Additionally, they learn healthy habits and healthy ways of interacting and collaborating with others. As a result, the girls attend school more regularly and their academic progress improves as they become more generous and active participants in their lives. The first year of the program culminates in a space transformation, giving each girl a personalized space of her own, which encourages creativity, conveys a sense of value and worth, and gives her a daily reminder of her circle of support and care. The SOHO Club provides STEM activities during the girls' middle school years and further builds long-term mentoring relationships.
Gang Prevention and Intervention – Although the City of Alexandria has experienced relatively low amounts of criminal activity by gang members, gangs are a considerable threat to the safety of any community. Alexandria works to not only suppress criminal gang activity, but also to prevent youth from joining gangs. When necessary, interventions with gang involved youth are performed in the attempt to offer alternative opportunities for the individual to separate from the gang and become a positive member of the community. Services include the City-funded Intervention Prevention Education program through Northern Virginia Family Service.
Read on to learn about the teamwork of the Alexandria Senior Policy Work Group on Gangs and the Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force. For more resources, see WHERE TO GO FOR HELP. To report graffiti, call the Alexandria Police Department's nonemergency number at 703.746.4444.
For more information, or to get involved, call 703.746.4144.