Introduction
The Dallas County Juvenile Probation Department is unique in that it provides all levels of substance abuse counseling, including a day treatment program. The Substance Abuse Unit has been in existence for over 10 years and has changed dramatically as the needs of the community have changed. Currently, we are staffed by 25 counselors and support staff and provide services for juveniles that include assessments, education/intervention, and all levels of treatment, including residential drug treatment.

The Walk-Through
As we performed our walk-through we were stopped immediately by the first referral/intake process, and decided to address that process. Our referral process is initiated at the time of a court hearing. It often is done at the same time the child is being released from detention, a process that also includes explaining the conditions of probation, reporting instructions, community service opportunities and fee requirements.

The amount of information that is given at this time is enormous, particularly coupled with the fact that the child is being released from detention where he has been away from family and friends for some time. A great amount of information is provided at a stressful time. It is obvious that several pieces of information can be lost or forgotten all together.

Prior to the walk-through, 50% of the clients were not attending their treatment intake appointments. After polling what happened to that group, it was determined that they didn't remembered being given the information, and that the probation officer was never informed of the appointment.

Plan
We decided to continue to give the client the information at the usual time in the process (to answer any questions they might have), but in addition made these changes:

1. Placed an appointment calendar for the day treatment program on a secured drive in our network. Access was given to the detention liaison and supervisors as well as secretaries.
2. Requested the detention liaison officer to contact the family the week of the appointment to remind them of when and where the intake would be held.
3. The detention liaison officer would also make sure the supervising Probation Officer was aware of the appointment so that at their initial reporting time (usually within 48 hours after release) they could be reminded a second time and given directions if needed.

Results
During the three weeks that this strategy was piloted, the amount of missed intake appointments were reduced from 50% to 16%. We will continue to utilize this strategy while polling the absent intakes to see if an additional pattern emerges that we need to address.