Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC)

The Juvenile Intake and Assessment Centers were established by Administrative order of the Kansas Supreme Court in 1995.The intake centers across the State are viewed as the "gatekeepers" to the Juvenile justice system.

The Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center, located at 1720 E. Morris, is a 24-hour, seven day per week program. Referrals into the program are accepted only from law enforcement agencies and the district attorney's staff. However, JIAC staff are willing to offer referrals to any family who calls in for help.

The center works with an average of 500 referred youth each month. When the youth arrives at JIAC, an intake questionnaire is done. This consists of gathering information about the youth concerning family, school history, peer relationships, substance abuse, and mental and physical health. An assessment is done from this information in consultation with law enforcement and the youth's parents. Based on this process, recommendations and referrals are made that could be helpful for the youth.

The strategy is to intervene early and prevent youth from getting more deeply involved in the juvenile justice system.