Juvenile Services staff members provide all medical, dental and mental health services for juveniles at the Juvenile Detention Center and the Cyndi Krier Center on a continuous basis.
- The Juvenile Detention Center is a 192 bed facility located on Mission Road here in San Antonio.
- The Cyndi Krier Center is a 96 bed facility located on Southton Road also in San Antonio.
Upon admission into a center the nursing staff will medically screen each juvenile for medical or mental health problems. Physicians from the UT Health Science Center-San Antonio, Department of Family Practice, provide sick call and examinations. Licensed counselors conduct mental status evaluations within the initial 24 hours on all youths detained to identify acute mental health needs. Counselors provide crisis and routine care on an individual as ell as group basis seven days per week. Additionally, counselors also provide group sessions on topics such as but not limited to substance abuse prevention, social skills, problem solving, placement orientation and orientation to the Texas Youth Commission. Psychiatrists associated with the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UTHSC-SA, provide psychiatric assessment and medication management.
Juvenile health care services include:
Medical Screening
Upon admission into a center, the nursing staff medically screens each juvenile for medical or mental health problems. Licensed counselors conduct mental status evaluations within the initial 24 hours on all youths.
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Medical Care
Medical Care is provided by physicians from the UTHSC-San Antonio, Department of Family Practice. Additionally, the Juvenile medical staff provides:
- Physical and dental exams
- Health classes
- STD/HIV screening and counseling
- Prenatal care
- Suicide observations
- Training for Detention and Probation officers
- Referrals to outside agencies
- Research projects with UTHSC-SA
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Dental Care
Dentist and dental technicians perform dental exams, fillings, and cleanings and also instruct the juveniles in oral hygiene. For many, this is their first visit to a dentist.
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Psychiatric Care
Psychiatrists associated with the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UTHSC-SA provides psychiatric assessment and medication management.
Psychological evaluations are conducted to assist the Juvenile Probation Department and the Juvenile Courts in securing proper placement of juveniles in residential, treatment and educational programs. "Fitness to Proceed (competency)" and "Responsibility for the Offense or Conduct (sanity)" evaluations are also conducted as ordered by the Courts whenever such questions are raised during the judicial process.
"Certification and Transfer" evaluations are performed on all youths for whom the Juvenile Courts are considering waving its jurisdiction and transferring the juvenile to an adult or criminal court. Staff members also participate in "Determination of Mental Retardation" evaluations in conjunction with the Center for Health Care Services as ordered by the Courts.
Additionally, all Juvenile Probation and Detention Officer, and Volunteer, applicants are evaluated to rule out psychopathology.
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Social Work Services
Counselors manage crisis and routine care on an individual as well as group basis around the clock. They also conduct group sessions on such topics as substance abuse prevention, social skills, problem solving, placement orientation and orientation to the Texas Youth Commission.
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