Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center

The Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center provides temporary safe and secure care for alleged delinquent juveniles and dependent juveniles of Lancaster County. For all juveniles, the center provides protection for the community and the child. The Youth Intervention Center is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and abides by their regulations. The Center is also a member of the Juvenile Detention Centers Association of Pennsylvania (JDCAP), and the National Juvenile Detention Association (NJDA). Detention What Is Juvenile Detention? According to the board of directors of the National Juvenile Detention Association (NJDA), the definition of juvenile detention is: Juvenile detention is temporary and safe custody of juveniles who are accused of conduct subject to the jurisdiction of the court who require a restricted environment for their own, or the community's protection, while pending legal action. Further, juvenile detention provides a wide range of helpful services that support the juveniles physical, emotional, and social development. Helpful services minimally include: education; visitation; communication; counseling; continuous supervision; medical and health care services; nutrition; recreation; and reading. Juvenile detention includes or provides for a system of clinical observation and assessment that compliments the helpful services and reports findings. According to the American Correctional Association (ACA) Juvenile Detention Committee there are seven essential characteristics to juvenile detention. They are: Temporary custody. Of all the methods of incarceration within the criminal justice system, only juvenile detention stresses its temporary nature. Detention should be as short as possible. Safe custody. This concept implies freedom from fear and freedom from harm for both the juvenile and the community. This definitional theme refers to a safe and humane environment with programming and staffing to ensure the physical and psychological safety of detained juveniles. Restricted environment. The nature or degree of restrictiveness of the environment is generally associated with the traditional classifications of maximum, medium, or minimum security or custody. Community protection. In addition to the factors listed above, the court has a legitimate right to detain juveniles for the purpose of preventing further serious and/or violent delinquent behavior. Pending legal action. This theme includes the time spent awaiting a hearing, disposition, a placement, or a return to a previous placement. Helpful services. Programs are available to detain juveniles to help resolve a host of problems commonly facing detained juveniles. Because detention has the potential of creating a tremendously negative impact on some juveniles, it is important that programming have the depth of services required to meet the needs of a wide range of juvenile problems. Clinical observation and assessment. Most juvenile codes specifically refer to this theme as a purpose for detention. The controlled environment of juvenile detention often provides the opportunity for intense observation and assessment to enhance decision-making capabilities. Competent clinical services are provided by properly credentialed individuals who coordinate and conduct the observation and assessment process. (This service may be provided by staff or through contract.) This definition of juvenile detention was provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's (OJJDP) Desktop Guide to Good Juvenile Detention Practice (1996; pg. 33). What Is a Delinquent Child? According to the Juvenile Act, composed by the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission (JCJC), a delinquent child is a child ten years of age or older whom the court has found to have committed a delinquent act and is in need of treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation. What Is a Delinquent Act? According to the Juvenile Act, composed by the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission (JCJC), a delinquent act is defined as follows: 1. The term means an act designated a crime under the law of this Commonwealth, or of another state if the act occurred in that state, or under Federal law, or under local ordinances. 2. The term shall not include: a. The crime of murder. b. Any of the following prohibited conduct where the child was 15 years of age or older at the time of the alleged conduct, and a deadly weapon as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. ? 2301 (relating to definitions) was used during the commission of the offense, which, if committed by an adult, would be classified as: i. Rape. ii. Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. iii. Aggravated assault. iv. Robbery. v. Robbery of motor vehicle. vi. Aggravated indecent assault. vii. Kidnapping. viii. Voluntary manslaughter. ix. An attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit murder or any of these crimes. c. Any of the following prohibited conduct where the child was 15 years of age or older at the time of the alleged conduct, and has been previously adjudicated delinquent of any of the following prohibited conduct, which, if committed by an adult would be classified as: i. Rape. ii. Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. iii. Robbery. iv. Robbery of motor vehicle. v. Aggravated indecent assault. vi. Kidnapping. vii. Voluntary manslaughter. viii. An attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit murder or any of these crimes. d. Summary offenses, unless the child fails to comply with a lawful sentence imposed there under, in which event notice of such fact shall be certified to the court. e. A crime committed by a child who has been found guilty in a criminal proceeding for other than a summary offense. The Juvenile Court Process For Detention Residents: In Lancaster County, there are only two authoritative entities that can place a juvenile into detention. They are, a Judge of the Lancaster County Court, or a probation officer from the Office of Juvenile Probation & Parole. In both cases, the juvenile must meet the detention standards outlined in the Juvenile Act of the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission (JCJC). A Judge can remand a juvenile from the bench during a court hearing or issue a bench warrant for a juvenile to be detained. The juvenile will remain detained until further court action is taken. A Juvenile Probation Officer can refer a juvenile to detention if the juvenile meets the standards of detention as outlined in the Juvenile Act. A Juvenile Court Detention Master will review all referrals to detention by a juvenile probation officer within 72 hours of a juveniles admission. This is called a Detention Hearing. Juvenile Court Detention Masters are court-appointed attorneys who preside over Detention Hearings to determine whether the facts of the allegations against the juvenile warrant detention, based on the juveniles threat to themselves or the community. All decisions made by Juvenile Court Detention Masters are reviewed by a Lancaster County Judge for final approval. If a juvenile is remanded at their Detention Hearing, they must have an Adjudication Hearing within ten days from the juveniles admission date into detention (twenty days if they are awaiting their Disposition Hearing). At the Adjudication Hearing, a juvenile will either admit or deny the allegations that have been brought against them. If a juvenile admits to the charges, their detention status will be reviewed. If the juvenile is remanded back to detention, they will have their Disposition Hearing within twenty days. If the juvenile denies the allegations, they will be given a trial at the Adjudication Hearing. If the juvenile is found to have committed the offense, their detention status will be reviewed. If the juvenile is remanded back to detention, they will have their Disposition Hearing within twenty days. At the Disposition Hearing, a juvenile will be court ordered to placement, probation, community service, or pay fines and costs. At this time, their detention status will be reviewed again. If the juvenile is remanded back to detention, they will remain in detention until their release to placement. A juveniles detention status will be reviewed every thirty days, while they await placement. Shelter Care What is Shelter Care? Shelter care provides temporary and emergency care for alleged and adjudicated dependent and delinquent juveniles. The Shelter helps children and their families by providing professional therapeutic and supportive services that will enable them to achieve their full potential. Our hope is to touch the lives of the children we serve so that they become productive members of society, in part because of the caring, nurturing, and learning atmosphere of the Shelter. The Shelter serves males and females between the ages of ten and eighteen years of age that are awaiting court review. The Children & Youth Agency or Juvenile Probation & Parole Office refers these residents to us. Shelter care offers a supervised setting with accommodations to house twenty-four residents each with their own sleeping quarters. The residents participate in activities that help them grow emotionally, physically, and intellectually. The versatility of the Shelter's behavior modification system allows home visits, if the resident has achieved a high status and if the referring agency approves the visit. These visits are beneficial as positive reinforcement and allow for a higher degree of family involvement. The ability to venture "off grounds", with staff supervision, enables shelter residents to experience a variety of recreational activities as well as participate in volunteer activities throughout Lancaster County communities. This facet of the programming also affords the opportunity for educational field trips and experiential learning. What Is a Dependent Child? According to the Juvenile Act, composed by the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission (JCJC), a dependent child is a child who: is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for his physical, mental, or emotional health, or morals; has been placed for care or adoption in violation of law; has been abandoned by his parents, guardian, or other custodian; is without parent, guardian, or legal guardian; while subject to compulsory school attendance is habitually and without justification truant from school; has committed a specific act or acts of habitual disobedience of the reasonable and lawful commands of his parent, guardian, or other custodian and who is ungovernable and found to be in need of care, treatment, or supervision; is under the age of ten years and has committed a delinquent act; has been formally adjudicated dependent, and is under the jurisdiction of the court, subject to its conditions or placements and who commits an act which is defined as ungovernable; has been referred pursuant to section 6323 of the Juvenile Act (relating to informal adjustment) and who commits an act which is defined ungovernable. Resident Programming General Overview When a resident is admitted to our facility, they will have entered into an extremely structured and educational environment. Upon wake up each day, a resident will experience hygiene, cleaning, year-round schooling, year-round recreational activities, religious services, psycho-educational groups, and family interaction. Our residents' daily routine is loaded with positive, structured, and life-building programming. Educational Services Upon admission, each resident will be given an educational screening and assessment in order to gauge their educational needs. Our school program is provided year-round through the School District of Lancaster. The educational program is culturally sensitive and reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of the community. Religious Programming Our religious program contains a diverse variety of volunteer church groups that accommodate the religious needs of our residents. Our facility has a full-time and two part-time chaplains, along with over seventeen volunteer church groups. Participation in religious activities is voluntary for our residents. Family Interaction and Support Our program provides visitation, mail, and telephone services with the goal of promoting appropriate support, interaction, and involvement with family members. Mental Health Assessment Our in-house Case Manager assesses and identifies any mental health needs of our residents. In addition, they also run our psycho-educational programs. Some of the topics include: Drug and Alcohol Issues Anger Control Communication Skills Living and Coping with Mental Illness Fatherhood Initiative Travel Preventing Abuse Dance Therapy Music Therapy Victim Impact Combating Prejudices and Hatred Health Services We have 24 hour medical care available by Primecare Medical services that provide routine medical examinations, diagnosis and treatment of medical issues, emergency dental diagnosis and treatment, and medication management services. Recreational Services Our Recreation Program Coordinator provides a structured recreational program that includes a variety of activities that promote physical and mental health. Some of these programs include: Physical Education 4H Nutritional Program Self Esteem/Team Building Activities Pet Therapy Girl Scouts Master Gardening Program Smart Angler Program (Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission) Shelter "Work For Play" Program We have over forty-five (45) volunteer groups or individuals that come to our facility to help better the lives of our residents, each in their own unique way.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Youth Intervention Center it to provide a safe environment, ensuring the essential physical, mental, and emotional well-being for the youth we serve through positive and compassionate engagement.

Core Values

The Youth Intervention Center believes in:

• Diversity and Teamwork – We embrace our varied perspectives and talents in order to adapt to the needs of the youth we serve.
• Integrity – We strive to meet high ethical and professional standards of Juvenile Justice.
• Commitment – We pursue our mission and goals with tenacity and resolve.
• Safety – We are committed to the health and safety of our clients and workforce.
• Respect – We believe respect and fair treatment are fundamental to our service, operations, and decision-making.
• Compassion – We believe in fostering positive relationships in order to encourage personal growth.

Operational Goals

In order to advance our mission, our Detention Program strives to:

• Provide a safe, secure, and structured environment for the juveniles we serve, while at the same time providing protection for the community.
• Serve as role models and project an appearance, attitude, and behavior which creates an atmosphere conducive to positive change, dignity, and respect for all, while at the same time authentically connecting and communicating with our residents.
• Provide programming that stimulates the residents’ physical, mental, educational, and creative growth, with a focus on family engagement.

In order to advance our mission, the Shelter Program strives to:

• Provide a safe, temporary residential care environment for “at-risk” youth while awaiting transition to placement or home reunification.
• Connect with residents in an honest and authentic manner, modeling dignity and respect for all.
• Create opportunities for change, emphasizing personal growth and accountability, while working with the youth, their families, contracting agencies and the community.
• Provide programming that stimulates the physical, mental, educational, and creative growth and interests of our residents.

In order to advance our mission, the P.U.L.S.E. Weekend Program and Evening Treatment Center strives to:

• Create a safe environment of support, positivity and mutual respect that promotes personal growth.
• Work collaboratively with the Office of Juvenile Probation, the Children and Youth Agency, and the participant’s family to identify each participant’s needs, strengths, and goals.
• Utilize evidence-based practices in order to foster competency development and self-reflection
• Equip participants with new tools for managing life’s challenges, increasing a positive outlook on their future, and building confidence in their own ability to be successful.
• Elicit internal motivation within our participants to create positive change within themselves.