LAKEWOOD, Colo.—Kids who have successfully completed a mental health court program in Jefferson County are celebrating with a graduation ceremony.
The court treats juveniles with diagnosed mental illnesses who have been charged with a crime. It is meant to help treat their mental conditions instead of keeping them in the criminal justice system.
A spokeswoman for the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office says kids were celebrating the completion of an alternative problem-solving program Tuesday. Thirteen kids ages 10-17 were attending a dinner and ceremony with their families.
Juvenile Assessment Center Director Jeff McDonald says this program is the first and only mental health court that treats only juveniles in Colorado.
McDonald says there have been 69 successful completions since the program began in 2006.
