THE CHILDREN'S COURT CENTER IS HOUSED IN A REMODELED DORMITORY ON THREE ACRES AT THE EDGE OF PITTSBURG, KANSAS. ONE BUILDING CONTAINS A CLASSROOM AND SHOP AREA, AND SPACE AND EQUIPMENT FOR A CROSS SECTION OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED. THE CHILDREN'S COURT CENTER FUNCTIONS AS A DETENTION FACILITY, WITH LOCKED DOORS ONLY ON THE ENDS OF THE DORMITORY CORRIDORS AND AT THE ENTRANCES TO THE BUILDING. THE AGE RANGE OF YOUTH ACCEPTED AT THE CENTER IS 8 THROUGH 18, WITH A CAPACITY FOR 25 BOYS AND 16 GIRLS. YOUTH ARE ACCEPTED FOR THE PURPOSES OF DETENTION, EVALUATION, AND TREATMENT. THE CENTER HAS BEEN FUNCTIONING SINCE 1973, WITH A RECORD OF 2 PERCENT RUNAWAYS AND 10 PERCENT RECIDIVISM. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS 31.7 DAYS. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS CENTERED ON THE QUALITY OF THE RELATIONSHIP WHICH EXISTS BETWEEN COUNSELOR AND CLIENT. THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP IS BASED UPON THE COUNSELOR'S ABILITY TO RELATE TO THE YOUTHS AS A FIRM BUT FAIR AUTHORITY FIGURE, WHILE BEING A CARING, EMPATHETIC, LISTENING PERSON, WHO WILL HELP THEM WORK THROUGH PROBLEMS. EACH COUNSELOR IS ASSIGNED PARTICULAR YOUTHS, AND FORMAL COUNSELING SESSIONS ARE HELD AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. GROUP COUNSELING IS DONE TWICE A WEEK. THE AIMS OF THIS TYPE OF COUNSELING ARE TO WORK WITH THE YOUTHS THROUGH MAJOR PROBLEMS AND TEACH THEM APPROPRIATE AND SATISFACTORY MEANS OF RELATING TO PARENTAL FIGURES. A TREATMENT PLAN IS DEVELOPED FOR EACH YOUTH UPON ADMITTANCE. THE PROGRAM IS DIVIDED INTO A NUMBER OF SYSTEMS, EACH DESIGNED TO AID IN THE ATTAINMENT OF SPECIFIC GOALS. EACH YOUTH IS ASSIGNED TO A PARTICULAR SYSTEM BASED UPON HIS OR HER DETERMINED NEEDS. CLIENTS WILL CHANGE SYSTEMS AS GOALS ARE MET. A SCHOOL OPERATES AT THE CENTER WITH EMPHASIS ON REMEDIAL AND PRACTICAL EDUCATION THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION. CAREER EDUCATION AND FAMILY COUNSELING ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. (RCB)