Secure detention is typically reserved for youth who pose the highest risk or who have been accused of committing serious offenses. The Court can remand youth who are alleged or adjudicated juvenile delinquents, juvenile offenders or adolescent offenders to secure detention. Juvenile delinquents have their cases heard in the Family Court and juvenile offenders have their cases heard in the Youth Part of Supreme Court. Adolescent Offenders can have their cases heard in the Youth Part of Supreme Court or cases can be waived down to Family Court.
ACS operates two secure detention facilities- Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brownsville, Brooklyn and Horizon Juvenile Center in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. These facilities have the most restrictive security features.
All youth go through the intake process which includes medical, educational, and social service assessments. ACS's Case Management staff initiates the process by conducting an extensive youth and family intake interview, authorizing call recipients and family members for telephone and visitation access, collecting consent forms and vital documents and providing information concerning youth rights and responsibilities while in Detention.
All youth are assigned an ACS case manager who helps them adjust to the facility, counsels them, and interacts with the youth's family and significant others to support/strengthen lasting connections. The case manager also works with the youth's family, lawyer, and other stakeholders to ensure all of their physical, emotional, educational and social needs are met. Case management coordinates core assets required to meet the developmental needs of youth by identifying a youth's strengths, interests, and potential barriers to community reentry, and coordinating direct communication between the case manager, the youth, families, internal and external providers to optimize positive outcomes for youth.
Nutrition Services: The Administration for Children's Services provides nutritious meals to all youth in our care. Our Nutrition and Food Services Department carefully crafts and plans out menus for our sites with seasonally fresh and locally sourced food. In addition to meeting federal regulations, meals are prepared to meet the New York City Food Standards. Our team goes above and beyond to promote healthy eating and lower the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease among all New Yorkers, including the children and youth in our care. After the menus are finalized, meals are prepared daily from scratch. At all ACS sites, youth are served three meals per day, where fresh fruit is always offered, as well as an evening snack after the dinner meal. We strive to make water the beverage of choice by not offering sugar-sweetened beverages. Meal Alternate is served with all components to make a complete meal. Peanut Butter and Jelly or Cream Cheese and Jelly is also available at all meals. Water is available at meals and snacks and throughout the day. Our Spring Menu is in effect until March 22, 2024.
ADVISORY: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, current community positivity rates and in an effort to protect the health and safety of our youth and staff, the NYC Administration for Children's Services requests visitors provide confirmation of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test taken within 48 hours of the visit at both juvenile detention facilities. Rapid tests are available on-site for visitors prior to family visitation. Virtual visitation is also available as an accommodation. Please contact your youth's Case Manager to inquire about scheduling.
To reach Case Management at Crossroads, please call: 718-240-4038 or email CJC_CaseMgmt@acs.nyc.gov.
To reach Case Management at Horizon, please call: 718-401-3038 or email HOJC_CaseMgmt@acs.nyc.gov.
Horizon Juvenile Center
560 Brook Avenue
Bronx, NY 10455
718-292-0065
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Crossroads Juvenile Center
17 Bristol Street
Brooklyn, NY 11212
(718) 240-3800
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