conflict resolution services for delaware and chester counties
Youth Aid Panel Program
giving our youth a second chance
The Benefits
2. The offender and the parents are not usually fined.
3. The person has a chance to directly work off his/her offence through some positive community action.
4. The juvenile and his/her parents witness the care and concern of their community.
5. Victims, parents, and police do not waste valuable time and money waiting in or outside of a courtroom, sometimes never to be called upon for their input
6. The juvenile and parents have an opportunity to access additional resources within their community.
7. The police have another tool to deal with minor first-time offenses
8. Community panel member are educated by the cases they hear; problems of local youth become clearer. Panels give residents a way to become more involved in their communities.
9. Hopefully, the panels will provide information and input into decisions of their community which involve all young people, not those in trouble.
10. Youth Aid Panels are customized to meet the needs of the community.
The Youth Aid Panel Program
is a Joint Effort
- Delaware County Juvenile Probation Departments
- Delaware County District Attorney Offices
- Delaware County Board of Judges
- District Courts
- Participationg police departments
- Center for Resolutions- the administering organization
- Over 300 volunteer panelists and community service organizations
How the Process Works
1. The Referral- The police department offers the young offender the opportunity to go before a group of trained panelists instead of court.
2. The Panel Session- The panel meets with the family and the youth together. The session is a voluntary and confidential process. If the offense involves a victim, the victim is invited to meet privately with the panel to discuss the offense and their input may help the panel form the resolution.
3. The Resolution Contract- The panel does not decide guilt or innocence. The panel develops a program of commuity service, educational activities, or other forms of paying back to the community. Restitution (if needed) is handed by the local police department not the panel. Each resolution is customized to the offense and abilities of the individual. The youth contracts with the panel to complete the resolution.
4. Completion- When the resolution is completed, the panel and the youth meet again to discuss his/her experience and the panel will recommend that no criminal recoard be kept abouth the offense. If for any reason the youth fails to complete the resolution or commits another offense, the case is returned to the police department.
in Your Community!
Register for upcoming training!
Contact: Joanie Taylor, YAP Coordinator
jtaylor@center4resolutions.org
610.566.7710
Click HERE for more information.
Rewind: Explore your Choices - a drug, alcohol, and tobacco program that meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of every month from 7-9pm. TO REGISTER: Contact Holcomb Behavioral Health to Register at 484.444.0412
Contact Us- info@center4resolutions.org or 610.566.7710
