This course is one of the core courses required for advanced certification in juvenile justice and advanced certification in child welfare. Completion of the course will count toward both certifications. The course includes instruction on common mental health needs among youth, interventions that have been proven to be effective, the current Medicaid landscape to obtain services for youth, judicial review of minor’s voluntary admissions, the relationship between mental health and capacity to proceed, involuntary commitment, confidentiality, and the connection between juvenile proceedings and mental health from the beginning to the end of those proceedings.

This course is intended for all district court judges. Priority will be given to district court judges who are seeking advanced certification in child welfare and/or juvenile justice. It is not necessary to have already achieved juvenile court certification to take this course. It is anticipated that this course will be offered every three years, so judges who anticipate seeking an advanced certification in that time may want to consider attending. Only those who can commit to attending the entire course should apply.