The Youth Aid Panel Program (YAP) and training is based on the restorative justice model, encompassing the impact of the crime on the youth, their family, and the community. The program is a police referral-based program for youth (ages 10 – 17) who have committed a first-time summary level offense. We work with townships, boroughs, municipalities and their police departments across Delaware and Chester County to implement this program. YAP relies on over 250 volunteers who serve as panelists in their communities. Through the process, panelists meet with referred youth and their guardians to gain insight to the offense and develop appropriate resolutions. The resolutions are assigned as an opportunity for the youth to acknowledge the consequences of their behavior. Resolutions which may be completed are offense-focused classes, research papers, community service, and special assignments.
Below is a list of the communities and police departments that work with us to make the YAP program such a success:
- Aston;
- Brookhaven / Parkside;
- Caln Township;
- City of Chester;
- Chester Township;
- Clifton Heights;
- East Brandywine;
- Easttown Township;
- Haverford / Havertown;
- Lansdowne / East Lansdowne;
- Marcus Hook;
- Marple;
- Media;
- Morton;
- Nether Providence;
- Newtown Township;
- Northern Chester County (East Vincent Township and West Vincent Township);
- Norwood;
- Phoenixville
- Prospect Park;
- Radnor;
- Ridley Park;
- Ridley Township;
- Springfield;
- State Police;
- Upland Township;
- Upper Chichester;
- Upper Darby;
- Upper Providence;
- Yeadon;
