As the practice arm of the Department  of Forensic Psychology, The Chicago School Forensic Center brings students together with local organizations on projects that bolster hands-on learning experiences while addressing unmet needs in the community. Students benefit from the opportunity to put classroom instruction into practice in real-world settings that range from the Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department of Cook County and Illinois Department of Children and Family Service agencies to women’s shelters and programs for ex-offenders.

The Forensic Center was opened in 2007 in an effort to address mental health needs in the community. It is staffed by Chicago School Department of Forensic Psychology faculty, who collectively bring more than 30 years of experience and expertise to the initiative. Although launched with a single program, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, the center has since expanded to include a wide-range of short-term services that address issues of delinquency, child maltreatment, pre-and post-transitional living for offenders, and victim-related trauma. In addition, the center offers professional development and continuing education workshops.

Services are offered at no cost to individuals referred by one of the center’s community partners.

Mission Statement
The Chicago School Forensic Center is committed to providing high-quality forensic psychological services and programming, such as evidence-based interventions, policy advocacy, and program development, to improve the health and well-being of individuals within diverse communities. Through community partnerships, the Center offers service-learning opportunities to educate students to become competent and civically engaged forensic mental health practitioners.

Community Service
Through service-learning courses and practicum experiences, forensic psychology students make significant contributions to the community, providing services that often would not otherwise be available to governmental agencies and human service agencies and their clients. During the first year and a half that the Forensic Center was in existence, some 1,187 hours of service were provided. This number is expected to grow steadily and the number of initiatives continues to expand.