The Court Support Services Division (CSSD) Juvenile Residential Services (JRS) Unit operates a range of both voluntary and court-ordered residential programs and centers designed to meet the unique needs of juveniles who come into contact with the juvenile court system. JRS is committed to providing a safe living environment through evidence-based practice, a strength-based approach, comprehensive education, and quality healthcare services.

Juvenile Residential Services is made up of a vast network of programs and services, including two detention centers in Bridgeport and Hartford, and numerous contracted residential programs. All programs are designed to develop positive social skills for the juveniles in its care and to contribute to community safety.

Community Residential Program – Hartford and Hamden

Community Residential Programs are secure, community-based, short-term residential services for delinquents and status offenders. They are used by Juvenile Court Judges, when appropriate, instead of putting juveniles in detention, and provide the juvenile a different place to live when doing so can be helpful. This program provides intensive -secure services including education, structured recreation, community service, individual and group services, family mediation, and access to medical, mental health and substance abuse intervention and treatment.

Secure Community Residential Program – Hamden and Hartford

Secure Community Residential Programs target female juveniles who have been assessed and classified as appropriate for a secure, gender responsive facility. Juveniles can be sent to these secure facilities before or after their cases are decided. Services include education, medical treatment, life skills, substance abuse intervention, and counseling. Families can visit and the girls have recreation opportunities in these detention facilities.

CARE is a service that provides voluntary respite care beds for Families With Service Need (FWSN) juveniles in crisis as a bridge to home-based, family-centered treatment, or other services. Juveniles and their families are assessed at CARE and connected to an intervention based on risk, needs, and strengths. Program services include family mediation and conflict resolution, treatment/services.

American Correctional Association (ACA)

The ACA is a national organization which sets standards detailing minimum operational practices for detention Connecticut’s two state-operated juvenile detention centers (Bridgeport and Hartford) are accredited by the ACA. Beginning in 2003, and every 3 years after, the ACA has audited the juvenile detention centers on almost 400 standards. Connecticut is the only state in the country to achieve accreditation of all state run facilities.

National Commission on Correctional Healthcare (NCCHC)

The NCCHC accreditation process is an external peer review that publicly recognizes correctional institutions that meet nationally accepted Standards for Health Services. Connecticut’s two state-operated juvenile detention centers are accredited by the NCCHC. Beginning in 2004, and every 3 years after, the NCCHC has audited the juvenile detention centers and granted them accreditation status.