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Court programs for youth

Delivering programs to support the needs of both pre- and post-adjudicated youth.

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DHS works with several providers to deliver programs to youth who are at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system. We also work with providers to deliver programs to those who are transitioning from detainment at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC) to either residential or in-home programs. Some youth may be court-ordered to these programs, while others may be referred by someone in their family, community, or school.

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Residential and in-home programs

Residential programs

The Juvenile Justice Services Division at DHS works with providers to deliver programs for both pre- and post-adjudicated youth.

These are programs in which youth are placed by court order. Youth receive treatment and rehabilitation services while in court custody. Some residential programs are secure (with locked doors), and some are open (with close staff supervision).

If your child has been transferred to a residential program and you are looking for the address or contact information, you can view a list of our residential providers.

In-Home Programs

In-Home Detention
Family Court may refer youth who have been arrested for an act of delinquency to the In-Home Detention program. This is a court-ordered service that requires youth to stay at their home and is an alternative to secure detention. Youth ordered to this service must stay at their home address unless expressly authorized by the judge. A caseworker will mentor the youth and provide intensive home-based case management services. They also ensure that the youth attends their next court hearing, remains arrest-free, and attends school regularly.

Intensive Supervision Program
Youth who are court-ordered into this program have daily face-to-face contact with a counselor. These check-ins keep track of youth and help them reach the goals outlined in their service plans. The counselor also ensures that the youth attends their next court hearing, remains arrest-free and attends school regularly.

The Evening Reporting Center (ERC)
This after-school program is a community-based alternative to placement for youth between the ages of 14 - 18. Youth who are court-ordered here generally come to the center weekdays between 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. for six months and must wear GPS ankle bracelets. In this program, youth have structured activities and workshops including:

  • Cognitive behavioral life skills.
  • Music and arts education.
  • Supervised community service experience.

GPS - Global Positioning System
If a judge orders this service, a youth will have GPS bracelets placed on their leg. This allows for real-time monitoring of their location by the Courts to ensure they are not in areas restricted to them.

Supervised Independent Living
This is an out-of-home placement and life-skills training program to older youth, aged 16.5 to 21, who are completing an educational or vocational training program and have no other place to live. Services are also provided to pregnant and parenting youth.

View a list of our Court and community providers.

 


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