Youth Aid Panel

The Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel (YAP) Program is a program of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office administered by MCMC. The Youth Aid Panel program provides a second chance for first-time non-violent juvenile offenders in Montgomery County and aims to prevent future offenses and make the juvenile responsible for his/her actions.

The Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel program has been in existence since April 2000. It has become a county wide program with panels in most school districts. The YAP program has given over 700 juveniles annually the opportunity for a second chance.

How Does a Youth Aid Panel Work?

Juvenile offenders who admit their involvement in an eligible first-time summary or misdemeanor offense are offered the opportunity to go in front of the Youth Aid Panel instead of Juvenile or District Court. At a panel meeting, juvenile offenders and their families meet formally with trained community volunteer panelists who decide an appropriate resolution to hold the juvenile accountable for his/her criminal actions. The panel and the juvenile sign a contract for the juvenile to complete educational activities, community service, restitution, or other outcomes. If the juvenile successfully completes the resolution, he/she will not have a criminal record.

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Benefits of the Youth Aid Panel

The Youth Aid Panel

Affords Juvenile offenders who successfully complete their resolution a "second chance," as they will not have an official court record
Provides a means for victims' input
Enables the juvenile to become more connected to the community
Teaches personal responsibility
Saves taxpayers court-related costs, as the panel system is less costly to the public,
Helps the juvenile and his/her family to understand that they live in a community that cares and that expects responsible resolutions for criminal behavior
Increases awareness of local community resources

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Community Service Providers

Community service options can include participation in community activities, charitable club events, holiday celebrations, sports events, and many other forms. The Youth Aid Panel program is always looking for more community service sites for juveniles.

Should your organization be interested in being a community service site, you must agree to the following:

provide supervision during the juvenile's period of service
keep a record of time served
report any problems to the Youth Aid Panel
maintain confidentiality regarding the juvenile's offense and background
follow the guidelines of the Child Labor Law

The Youth Aid Panel program will:

screen all juveniles (although the work site supervisor has the right to reject any applicant)
provide prompt support in any problematic situations
periodically contact the organization to "check in"

If your organization is interested in being a community service site, please download a Job Site Contract form.

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How to Volunteer

The Youth Aid Panel program depends on its volunteers! There are over 200 volunteers active in Youth Aid Panels across the county.

People interested in volunteering MUST BE:

a citizen of the United States
at least 18 years of age
a Montgomery County resident for at least one year

Volunteers MAY NOT:

be involved in law enforcement
be a school official
seek or presently hold an elected or appointed public office
have a criminal record

All applicants will be processed through the District Attorney's office for criminal history and child abuse record checks.

If you meet the above criteria and are interested in being a volunteer, the Youth Aid Panel program expects the following commitment to this program:

participation in a panel training course
attend monthly Youth Aid Panel meetings
commit to a minimum of one year of volunteer work

Please download a Youth Aid Panel volunteer application.

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Contacts

The Youth Aid Panel Coordinator is located at:
3075 Ridge Pike, Suite B
Eagleville, PA 19403
Email: rkolb@MontcoMediation.com
Call: 610-277-9320
Fax: 610-277-5126

20081006


Home About MCMC Mediation Services Restorative Justice Victim/Offender Conferencing Youth Aid Panels Training & Workshops More Information Contact Us Links Fees Forms		Youth Aid Panel What is a Youth Aid Panel? How Does a Youth Aid Panel Work? Benefits of the Youth Aid Panel Community Service Providers How to Volunteer Link to Youth Aid Panel Members' Area What is a Youth Aid Panel? The Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel (YAP) Program is a program of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office administered by MCMC. The Youth Aid Panel program provides a second chance for first-time non-violent juvenile offenders in Montgomery County and aims to prevent future offenses and make the juvenile responsible for his/her actions. The Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel program has been in existence since April 2000. It has become a county wide program with panels in most school districts. The YAP program has given over 700 juveniles annually the opportunity for a second chance. How Does a Youth Aid Panel Work? Juvenile offenders who admit their involvement in an eligible first-time summary or misdemeanor offense are offered the opportunity to go in front of the Youth Aid Panel instead of Juvenile or District Court. At a panel meeting, juvenile offenders and their families meet formally with trained community volunteer panelists who decide an appropriate resolution to hold the juvenile accountable for his/her criminal actions. The panel and the juvenile sign a contract for the juvenile to complete educational activities, community service, restitution, or other outcomes. If the juvenile successfully completes the resolution, he/she will not have a criminal record. » top Benefits of the Youth Aid Panel The Youth Aid Panel Affords Juvenile offenders who successfully complete their resolution a "second chance," as they will not have an official court record Provides a means for victims' input Enables the juvenile to become more connected to the community Teaches personal responsibility Saves taxpayers court-related costs, as the panel system is less costly to the public, Helps the juvenile and his/her family to understand that they live in a community that cares and that expects responsible resolutions for criminal behavior Increases awareness of local community resources » top Community Service Providers Community service options can include participation in community activities, charitable club events, holiday celebrations, sports events, and many other forms. The Youth Aid Panel program is always looking for more community service sites for juveniles. Should your organization be interested in being a community service site, you must agree to the following: provide supervision during the juvenile's period of service keep a record of time served report any problems to the Youth Aid Panel maintain confidentiality regarding the juvenile's offense and background follow the guidelines of the Child Labor Law The Youth Aid Panel program will: screen all juveniles (although the work site supervisor has the right to reject any applicant) provide prompt support in any problematic situations periodically contact the organization to "check in" If your organization is interested in being a community service site, please download a Job Site Contract form. » top How to Volunteer The Youth Aid Panel program depends on its volunteers! There are over 200 volunteers active in Youth Aid Panels across the county. People interested in volunteering MUST BE: a citizen of the United States at least 18 years of age a Montgomery County resident for at least one year Volunteers MAY NOT: be involved in law enforcement be a school official seek or presently hold an elected or appointed public office have a criminal record All applicants will be processed through the District Attorney's office for criminal history and child abuse record checks. If you meet the above criteria and are interested in being a volunteer, the Youth Aid Panel program expects the following commitment to this program: participation in a panel training course attend monthly Youth Aid Panel meetings commit to a minimum of one year of volunteer work Please download a Youth Aid Panel volunteer application. » top Contacts The Youth Aid Panel Coordinator is located at: 3075 Ridge Pike, Suite B Eagleville, PA 19403 Email: rkolb@MontcoMediation.com Call: 610-277-9320 Fax: 610-277-5126 20081006

Youth Aid Panel

What is a Youth Aid Panel?

How Does a Youth Aid Panel Work?

Benefits of the Youth Aid Panel

Community Service Providers

How to Volunteer

Contacts