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Judiciary asks Guam mayors to complete juvenile-services survey to improve referrals
Summary
The Judiciary of Guam told the Mayor’s Council that a committee compiling juvenile justice and mental-health resources received only five mayoral responses to a survey and urged mayors to identify village services and contacts to improve referrals and case planning for justice-involved youth.
Rosanna Villegomez Ogun, chief probation officer with the Judiciary of Guam, told the Mayor’s Council of Guam on March 12 that the Judiciary’s Family Engagement and Community Resources Committee sent a survey to village mayors to inventory local services for justice‑involved juveniles, but had received only five responses.
The committee, led by Judge Barcinas and including representatives from the Department of Youth Affairs, the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, the Office of Homeless Assistance, and the Guam Police Department, is compiling a directory of programs, eligibility ages, fees, referral requirements and contact information to identify gaps and overlaps in available services, Villegomez Ogun said.
The information will be used to improve referrals, strengthen family engagement in court case planning and increase available services for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, she said. “We wanted to really engage you into helping us with this survey,” Villegomez Ogun said. “We received five responses. We’ve done follow‑ups, and we would really appreciate it if you would fill out that survey.”
Mayors in the meeting said some villages already host juvenile programs. The mayor of Agana Heights said that village hosts a juvenile drug court at its basketball court and described the program as successful; Villegomez Ogun thanked mayors for such local efforts and reiterated the need to collect details so the Judiciary can make referrals and recommendations.
The survey asks for program descriptions, ages served, fees, whether a formal referral is required, whether staff would participate in court proceedings and how programs advertise services, Villegomez Ogun said. She asked mayors and mayoral staff who have not yet responded to complete the questionnaire so the committee can compile a comprehensive island‑wide resource list.
The Judiciary presented the request during the meeting’s guest speaker period and said it will continue follow‑up calls to mayoral offices. No formal action or vote by the Mayor’s Council was recorded on the survey request during the meeting.
Villegomez Ogun closed by offering contact information and thanking the mayors for their time; she said the committee will continue outreach to stakeholders to finalize the inventory and assess service gaps.
Acknowledging the presentation, the mayor of Agana Heights offered to follow up on village programs and help coordinate responses.
The Judiciary’s Family Engagement and Community Resources Committee is reviewing available services and will use the compiled directory to inform court referrals and policy recommendations; the committee did not identify a statutory requirement in the Mayor’s Council meeting record.
