Section 40 Supervision Process

• Library: Juvenile Law 2011

One of the dispositional alternatives available to the juvenile court is to “[p]lace the child under supervision in his own home or in [the] custody of a relative or other suitable person.” Section 211.181.2(1), RSMo Supp. 2010 (emphasis added). This order permits children to remain with their families or in their communities but under the guidance of a supervising authority. This supervising authority is often a deputy juvenile officer, particularly when the child has committed a delinquent act.

Deputy juvenile officers are responsible for monitoring the behavior of children assigned to their supervision caseload. Casework effectiveness requires that the officer identify the nature and extent of the problems or conditions that have caused the juvenile to come within the juvenile court’s jurisdiction. In doing so, the officer will likely rely, to some extent, on information and impressions already gathered through the intake and social study process. The second step is to develop a treatment plan that will effectively remedy the identified problems or...