(a) For the purposes of this section, “family support center” means a community-based service center for children and families against whom a complaint has been filed with the Superior Court under section 46b-149 that provides multiple services, or access to such services, for the purpose of preventing such children and families from having further involvement with the court as families with service needs.(b) The Court Support Services Division shall contract with one or more private providers, or with one or more youth service bureaus, or both, to develop a network of family support centers. Each family support center shall provide, or ensure access to, appropriate services that shall include, but not be limited to, screening and assessment, crisis intervention, family mediation, educational evaluations and advocacy, mental health treatment and services, including gender specific trauma treatment and services, resiliency skills building, access to positive social activities, short-term respite care and access to services available to children in the juvenile justice system. The Court Support Services Division shall conduct an independent evaluation of each family support center to measure the quality of the services delivered and the outcomes for the children and families served by such center.
