The Court Liaison position at Scioto County Juvenile Court was started in 1998 as a cooperative effort between the Scioto County Juvenile Court and Children Services.  A Children Services caseworker is assigned to the court to assist in the diversion of unruly youth from becoming involved with the court system by coordinating appropriate services, to assist in the diversion of placement of youth in Children Services custody and to assist in the placement of those unruly youth who require out of home care.  The caseworker becomes involved with families of unruly youth in several different ways.  Juvenile Court refers parents to the caseworker when they file unruly charges against their children.  The caseworker can often work with the family to find services to assist the family in maintaining their child in the home.  Families, schools and other service providers may also contact Children Services for assistance with an unruly teen and a referral will be made to the caseworker to contact the family and offer services.  Families are also referred by other caseworkers at Children Services who may have an open investigation or protective services case with a family.  

Protective services are provided to children who can safely remain in their home through the provision of supportive services.  The family is linked with community resources and monitored by their Children Services caseworker to assure that the family is participating in and cooperating with the service providers.