IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, THE DEPARTMENT FOR HUMAN SERVICES (DHS) PROVIDES SERVICES FOR THE JUVENILE SESSION OF DISTRICT COURT. IN 1978, THERE WERE 7,466 REFERRALS TO JUVENILE SESSION, REPRESENTING 5,696 INDIVIDUALS, WHICH CONSTITUTED A 0.2 PERCENT INCREASE OVER 1977. WHEN THE POLICE CHARGE A JUVENILE WITH AN OFFENSE, HE/SHE MAY BE RELEASED TO THE YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAM, A YOUTH DIVERSION AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDING CRISIS COUNSELING TO JUVENILES AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE POLICE MAY INSTEAD DECIDE TO TAKE A YOUTH TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND DETENTION CENTER, WHICH SERVES AS THE PRIMARY POINT OF ENTRY INTO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH THE COMMISSION OF A PUBLIC OFFENSE AND ARE BELIEVED TO BE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR THE COMMUNITY. FROM THE CENTER, THE JUVENILE MAY BE RELEASED TO HIS/HER PARENTS, THE SHELTER HOUSE (WHICH AIDS STATUS OFFENDERS), THE ALTERNATIVE TO DETENTION PROGRAM (COORDINATES THE CARE AND SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN WHO DO NOT NEED THE SECURE SUPERVISION OF THE CENTER), OR THE EMERGENCY SHELTER CARE PROGRAM. THE CHILD IS THEN PROCESSED THROUGH THE CHILDREN SERVICES INTAKE DEPARTMENT WHICH SERVES AS A SCREENING, INFORMATION, AND REFERRAL AGENCY. UNLESS THE OFFENSE IS OF A SERIOUS NATURE, REQUIRES LEGAL ACTION, OR IS CHARGED TO AN HABITUAL OFFENDER, THE YOUTH IS REFERRED TO APPROPRIATE DHS SERVICES WITHOUT COURT ACTION. AFTER ANY COURT ACTION, THE COURT MAY REFER THE JUVENILE TO THE FOLLOWING DHS HOME SERVICES; PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, OR THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. SERVICES PROVIDED TO ADULTS BY THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT AND THE NUTRITIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE AGING AND BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED FOR OFFENDER CHARACTERISTICS, COURT DISPOSITIONS, AND SERVICES PROVIDED. (RCB)