Klamath County Juvenile Department

Options for Parents

Often when a family is experiencing parent/child conflict, the parent requests services or advice from the Juvenile Department. The primary responsibility of the Juvenile Department is to deal with criminal behavior, thus the ability of the department to assist in the resolution of intra-family problems is limited. We have therefore compiled, for your consideration, the following list of possible community resources and alternatives where you may find help for your problems.

1. Physical Problem

Have you considered whether there may be a physical basis for your child's specific problems? How recently has it been since your child had a complete physical examination? It is important to rule out the possibility that your child's change of behavior has a medical basis.

2. School Problems

1. If your child is exhibiting problems at school, it is important for the parent to set up a conference with school staff. Use the conference time to identify and clarify your child's problem areas. It will also be important to develop a plan with school staff on ways to address these problems.
    
2. Have you considered alternate educational opportunities with school personnel?

1. Linkville Academy
   429 N. 8th Street
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541) 882-5691
    
2. Klamath Institute
   2856 Eberlein Avenue
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541) 885-4287
    
3. Integral Youth Services
   New Visions School
   1011 Main Street
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541) 883-8602
    
4. Private Schools

3. Have you considered obtaining a high school release to allow your child to participate in a G.E.D.?
    
4. Have you considered the Job Corps as a means to have your child complete their high school education and obtain work skills?
   
   For further information contact:
   Admissions Counselor, Job Corps Admissions and Placement
   1545 Harbeck, Rd., Grants Pass, OR 97572
   1-800-959-0502 or (541) 471-0502

3. General Counseling Needs

1. Klamath Youth Development Center
   2210 Eldorado Blvd.
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541) 883-1030
2. Lutheran Community Services
   2545 N. Eldorado Avenue
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541) 883-3471

4. Alcohol & Drug Problems

Alcohol and other drug abuse can create monsters out of one happy children and isolate them from those who love them. The youth become strangers and sources of frustration, irritation, and disruption for the family.

If your child's behavior becomes extreme and matches some of the below listed warning signs, call one of the alcohol and drug agencies listed below the warning signs.

Potential warning signs:

1. Unpredictable, hostile, easily provoked, depressed, withdrawn, secretive.
2. Less responsible, coming home late, forgetful about important functions.
3. Changing friends, their type of dress or interests. Secretive about friends.
4. Difficult to communicate with. Refuses to talk about friends or activities.
5. Strongly defends occasional use of or experimenting with drugs.
6. Showing signs of physical and/or mental deterioration or increased appetite. Rapid weight loss. Unmotivated.

1. Lutheran Community services
   2545 N. Eldorado Avenue
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541) 883-3471
    
2. Klamath Alcohol and Drug Abuse
   For Youths under age 18:
   3331 Vandenberg Rd.
   Klamath Falls, OR  97603
   (541) 884-4167
   Ask for Clytie Ring
    
3. Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services (Mailing Address)
   3949 S. 6th St.
   Klamath Falls, OR 97603
   (541) 882-1487
   
   Physical Address:  204 Pioneer St.
   Chiloquin, OR  97624

5. Family Problems

Have you drawn up a contract and both parent and child signed it, which will spell out the expectations that each person has, the rules of behavior and consequences for failure to abide by the terms of that contract? Consider purchasing the book, "Back in Control", by Greg Bodenhamer. It is an easy to read guide that can assist parents in gaining control of their child. Limit setting, rule enforcement & communication skills, in addition to other helpful information is included.

1. Family Counseling

In many families, there is much stress and conflict between the parent and child once the child becomes a teenager. Family counseling can assist all parties involved in the conflict to assess their positions more rationally without the emotional blow ups, and hopefully, reach a resolution to the conflicts.

1. Klamath Tribal Health & Family Service
   (Native American Families Only)
   1900 Main Street
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541) 882-1487
    
2. Integral Youth Services
   Com. Point of Contact
   1011 Main Street
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541)885-6808
    
3. Klamath Youth Development Center
   2210 Eldorado Blvd.
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541) 883-1030
    
4. Klamath County Mental Health
   3314 Vandenberg Road
   Klamath Falls, OR 97603
   (541) 882-7291
    
5. Lutheran Community Services
   2545 N. Eldorado Avenue
   Klamath Falls, OR 97601
   (541) 883-3471
    
6. Other Professional Counselors
   Check the yellow pages of your
   phone book or ask family/friends
   for names.

6. Private Placements

Have you sought out alternative living arrangements for your child, such as:

1. Considering placement with a relative
2. Placement at a private school, private ranch or military school
3. Emancipation. This requires court action and must be discussed with the Juvenile Department. If you would like to discuss emancipation as an option, contact the Juvnile Department to learn more about the eligibility requirements.

7. Detention Tour

Contact the Juvenile Department at (541) 884-4167 ext. 10 to arrange. Typically the tour occurs at 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. It is necessary for a parent to call at 3:30 to insure that space is available. The length of the tour is 1 hour. However, your child shouldn't be advised of the length of time.