Who We Are

The Jefferson County Juvenile Assessment Center (Jeffco JAC) is a dynamic program that provides a wide range of services through a collective effort between Juvenile Assessment Center Staff, Colorado Youth Detention Continuum (CYDC), Jefferson Center for Mental Health (JCMH), Department of Human Services (DHS), the First Judicial District’s Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement agencies, and the R-1 Jefferson County School District.

Jeffco JAC provides assessments to the Jefferson County Community at no charge to families. The assessment process gives juveniles and families the opportunity to provide a comprehensive description of their unique family structure.

The purpose of the assessment is to identify the presenting issue's origin and provide service referrals to address the concern. Issues addressed at the Jeffco JAC include, but are not limited to, welfare placement, runaway, beyond control of parent, drug and alcohol use/abuse, outcry of abuse, family discord, and low level criminal charges. Although Jeffco JAC works closely with local law enforcement, taking advantage of our free referral service will not generate a criminal record. Nor is the assessment allowed to be part of any ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by law enforcement.

Jeffco JAC is a single point of entry utilizing a centralized facility for individualized processing, assessing, screening, and referring of at-risk youth and juvenile offenders.

Our Values

Collaboration & Teamwork

Accountability

Growth & Development

Committed To What Works

Empowerment

Always Getting Better

Balancing and Ensuring Justice and Public Safety

Eliciting The Best Of Everyone

WE ARE PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A

Silver Level Assessment Center

The National Assessment Center Association (NAC)’s Pathways to Excellence initiative employs a tiered approach to recognizing an Assessment Center's commitment to implementation of best practices.

We have been recognized for our diligent efforts and commitment to enhancing our community by promoting thriving communities and providing alternatives to child welfare and justice system involvement.

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Leadership Team

Jeffco JAC Team

Eric White - Interim Executive Director
(720)497-7767 | ericw@jeffcojac.org

Craig McPherson - JAC Program Director
(720)497-7779 | craigm@jeffcojac.org

Laura Ristucci - Project Manager
(720)497-7762 | laurar@jeffcojac.org

Colorado Youth Detention Continuum Team

Ashley McLean
(720)512-9276 | ashleym@jeffcojac.org

Nancy Retana
(720)967-9593 | nancyr@jeffcojac.org

Morgan Florence - Detention Bed Case Manager
(720)644-7396 | morganf@jeffcojac.org