Juvenile Division Purpose

The Mission of the York County Juvenile Probation Department, consistant with the protection of the public interest, is to provide for children committing delinquent acts, programs of supervision, care, and rehabilitation which provide balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for the offenses committed and the development of competencies to enable children to become responsible and productive members of the community.

Through the provision of services either directly or through referral to appropriate agencies which pursue the following purposes:
To preserve the unity of the family whenever possible and to provide for the care, protection, and wholesome mental and physical development of children coming within the provisions of this chapter.
Consistent with the protection of the public, to provide for the children committing delinquent acts, programs of supervision, care and rehabilitation which provide balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed and the development of competencies to enable children to become productive members of the community.
To achieve the foregoing purposes in a family environment whenever possible, separating the child from parents only when necessary for his welfare or in the interests of public safety.
To provide means through which the provisions of this chapter are executed and enforced and in which the parties are assured a fair hearing and their constitutional and other legal rights recognized and enforced.

Duties of Juvenile Probation Officers

Make investigations, reports, and recommendations to the Court
Receive and examine complaints and charges of delinquency or dependency of a child for the purpose of considering the commencement of proceedings under the Juvenile Act requirements.
Supervise and assist a child placed on probation, protective supervision, Court Order, or other legal authority.
Make appropriate referrals to other private or public agencies of the community if their assistance appears to be needed or desirable.
To take into custody and detain a child who is under supervision, or care as a delinquent, or dependent child if the probation officer has reasonable cause to believe that the health or safety of the child is in imminient danger, or that he may abscond, be removed from the jurisdiction of the Court, violate the conditions of his probation, or when ordered by the Court pursuant to the Juvenile Act.
Perform all other functions designated by the Juvenile Act or by order of the Court of this juridiction.

Service Components

Intake - To receive, investigate, and screen allegations of juvenile delinquency, diverting appropriate cases from formal Court action, and processing to formal Court action those requiring adjudication and the attention of the Court.

Probation Services - Staff prepare social histories to aid the Court in dispositions, provide case planning, counseling, and supervision to juvenile offenders in the community.

Intensive Supervision - Community Based Officers provide high intensity supervision and case work to high risk offenders while retaining them in the community.

Aftercare - Community Based Officers provide casework to delinquent youth placed in care outside their home, maintaining ongoing contact with the child, family, and placement facility. Service includes discharge planning and supervision following release.

Drug Services - Community Based Officers provide supervision, drug testing, and casework services to delinquent youth with serious drug abuse problems.

EARN-IT Program - A coordinator assists delinquent youth owing financial restitution in placement at work sites to facilitate collection of restitution owed. Placements in volunteer work sites are also arranged when ordered by the Court, District Justices, or probation staff.

Intensive In-Home Family Service - The Department contracts with Family Services of York to provide intensive services to families of delinquent youth.

Manito Officer - Community Based Officer provides on-site services to juvenile committed to the Manito Day and Evening Program.

Probation School-Based Probation Services - Staff in targeted school districts provides services to delinquent children and children "at risk" for criminal involvement.
School districts that participate in this program are listed below:

Central York
Dover
Eastern
Red Lion
Spring Grove
West Shore
York City

The York County Adult and Juvenile Probation Departments are located in the York County Government Service Center on the southwest corner of Market and Beaver Streets in York City.
Satellite offices are located in Hanover Borough at:
Hanover Sub-Office, 11 York Street, Suite 102, Hanover PA, 17331
and Rossville Borough at:
Rossville Sub-Office, 7501 Carlisle Road, P.O. Box 114, Rossville, PA, 17358