NCJ Number
56671
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 42 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 37-40
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVITIES OF THE BUCKS COUNTY, PA., YOUTH SERVICES AGENCY AND ITS EFFECTIVE USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND THE DIVERSION OF YOUTH FROM THE COURTS.
Abstract
DESPITE THE EXPENDITURE OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BUCKS COUNTY, PA., ON YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS IN 1975, THERE WAS INADEQUATE TREATMENT OF JUVENILES AND A LACK OF COORDINATION AMONG GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. A SYSTEMATIC MEANS OF DIVERTING STATUS OFFENDERS FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS DEVELOPED WITH THE CREATION OF THE YOUTH SERVICES AGENCY (YSA) IN AUGUST OF 1975. THE YSA WORKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMMUNITIES, STUDENTS, AND POLICE TO DIVERT YOUTHS AWAY FROM FORMAL COURT ADJUDICATION AND TO IMPROVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF SERVICES. THE YSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS SERVES AS A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND VIEWPOINTS FROM PROFESSIONALS AND JUVENILES. ALTERNATIVE SERVICES ARE DEVELOPED AND COORDINATED FOR THE PROPER HANDLING OF DISRUPTIVE AND TROUBLED YOUTHS. THE YSA PERSONNEL ARE AVAILABLE FOR CRISIS COVERAGE ON A 24-HOUR BASIS THROUGH A POLICE RADIO CENTER. VOLUNTEERS SUPPLEMENT THE 11 FULL-TIME PERSONNEL, AND ALSO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR JUVENILES FORMERLY DETAINED IN A LOCKUP FACILITY. INTAKE AND REFERRAL STAFF CLASSIFY THE NEEDS OF THE YOUTH AND LINK THEM TO APPROPRIATE SERVICE AGENCIES. REGULAR FOLLOWUP CONTACT INVOLVES MEETING WITH FAMILIES AND DISCUSSION WITH THE AGENCY WHICH ASSISTS THE YOUTH. ADDITIONAL YSA SERVICES INCLUDE THE DISTRIBUTION OF A NEWSLETTER, AND THE PROVISION OF THE RESOURCE INFORMATION BANK SERVICE AS A LIBRARY FOR SUBJECTS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH.