Juvenile Justice Program

Juvenile Justice Advisory Board

The Sandoval County Juvenile Justice Advisory Board is a 15-member board of concerned citizens from many walks of life who are focused on reaching at-risk youth throughout the county before their actions lead to arrest or detention. Board membership includes representatives from the Sandoval County Commission, Sandoval County Children's Court, the District Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, local Law Enforcement, local Juvenile Probation Office, Public Schools, and community-based non-profit organizations serving youth and families.

Board members are appointed by the Sandoval County Commission. Members are appointed to two-year terms, and no member shall serve more than eight years. The Board meets six times a year every other month, with subcommittees meeting six times a year on off months.

What We Do

The Sandoval County Juvenile Justice Program is working to decrease the incidence of delinquency in our community and provide proper alternatives to detention while increasing the emphasis on prevention and early intervention in Juvenile Justice Services.

How We Serve You

Sandoval County Juvenile Justice Program is funded by the State of New Mexico, Children, Youth and Families Department and provides the following activities:

• Reception Assessment Center (RAC) — The Sandoval County RAC Programs have sites within Rio Rancho Public Schools and Bernalillo Public Schools, and a Mobile RAC provider that serves all other areas of Sandoval County. RAC is a program that provides an early intervention opportunity for youth that are at-risk for delinquency and/or detention. Services include an intake interview, a needs assessment, crisis intervention, and case management for at-risk youth. RAC works closely with Law Enforcement and juvenile justice personnel by providing youth with an alternative to detention.
• Learning Labs — Sandoval County Learning Labs serves and is located in the Rio Rancho Public Schools and Bernalillo Public Schools. These school-based programs provide a sheltered learning environment for at-risk students who have been suspended. Program Teachers work with youth to determine their service needs and help youth meet their academic goals until they can return to their schools and classrooms.