PCCYAP

In This Issue

• Success of

Youth Aid Panels

• Down to the

Dollars

• 2016 Stats

• Drexel University

Study

• County Highlights

Success of Youth Aid Panels

Under the umbrella of PCCYAP, Youth Aid Panels actively operate in 18 counties across the

state of Pennsylvania. While each county operates differently (headed by district attorney’s

offices, police departments, judges, probation departments, or third-party contractors), the

goal of each county is the same. Youth Aid Panels provide a second chance to first-time juve-

nile offenders by allowing them to go through a community-based diversion program rather

than through the traditional court process.

Youth Aid Panel involves the juvenile’s family, the victim, and the community in the process.

The program follows a restorative justice model that helps the juvenile understand the seri-

ousness of their actions and the effect that the offense has on them, their family, the victim,

and the community at large. Upon successful completion of the program, the juvenile’s record

is expunged, helping them to avoid the long-term collateral consequences of a record.

Since the last newsletter, PCCYAP has gained two new counties, Luzerne and Franklin, and

lost one, Lancaster. In 2016, Youth Aid Panels across the state handled 2,712 cases in the

11 reporting counties. More detailed statistics for individual counties can be found on page 2.

Pennsylvania Council of Community Youth Aid Panels Newsletter Winter 2018

Luzerne County panelists recognized at appreciation brunch.2016 Volunteer Recognition

Down to the Dollars A study conducted by Washington

State indicates that each case han-

dled through diversion saves on av-

erage thousands of taxpayer dollars

by not going through the traditional

court process. The most conserva-

tive estimate (low end of the WA

study, and not accounting for infla-

tion) would mean that the state of

Pennsylvania saved over $4 million

in 2016 from the existence of Youth

Aid Panels.

In 2016, $28,194 in restitution was

collected and distributed to victims

by Youth Aid Panels in Berks, Bucks,

Cumberland, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mont-

gomery, and Philadelphia counties

Lehigh County panelists attend training on the opioid crisis.

2016 Stats

County Number of Cases Successfully Completed

Berks 277 253

Bucks 360 312

Cumberland 235 185

Delaware 241 236

Franklin 15 13

Lehigh 271 227

Luzerne 159 122

Montgomery 542 511

Philadelphia 330 241

Union 7 6

York 275 235

Total 2,712 2,341

Drexel University Study In 2018, Amanda NeMoyer et al published a study on Philadelphia’s Youth Aid Panels titled “A

Community-Based, Post-Arrest Diversion Program for First-Time Youthful Offenders: Who Partici-

pates, What Must They Do, and Which Factors Predict Program Outcomes?”. The study evaluated

outcomes for juveniles who were arrested between January 2013 and August 2015 and were ac-

cepted into YAP. Of those, 75% successfully completed their contracts without being rearrested by

the conclusion of the study, 9% completed their contracts but were later rearrested, 12% did not

complete their contracts and were breached from the program, and 4% were actively rearrested

while under contract.

NeMoyer et al found that a juvenile’s age, race/ethnicity, and gender had no correlation to their

likelihood of successfully completing the program. They also found that the two greatest predictors

of whether or not a juvenile would successfully complete the program were a) type of offense juve-

nile was arrested for, and b) number of contract terms given.

Overall, juveniles arrested for property offenses (thefts, vandalism, etc.) were more successful

than those arrested for violent crimes (simple and aggravated assaults). Additionally, juveniles

were most likely to complete their contracts if given between 3-5 contract terms (no more, no less).

Source: Nemoyer, A. et al, A Community-Based, Post-Arrest Diversion Program for First-Time Youthful Of-

fenders: Who Participates, What Must They Do, and Which Factors Predict Program Outcomes?”

Kathie Iannuzi (Delaware) presents a new program to chairs.

Bucks County 2017 spring training class.

Faith Harris (Philadelphia) reviews panel stats with YAP Officers.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Cleary , michaelcleary410@gmail.com

Bucks Bucks County trained 30 new volun-

teers during the last year and added

Upper Makefield Township to the

county's program. They currently have

22 panels serving 30 communities.

Cumberland Cumberland County is celebrating 15

years of dedicated service of their vol-

unteers. They currently have 18 pan-

els and recently trained 15 new volun-

teers who were sworn in by Judge

Placey in May.

Delaware

Delaware County trained nine new

volunteers in February and added one

new panel. They held a potluck for

YAP Chairs in the spring, and will be

holding their annual volunteer appreci-

ation dinner this summer.

PCCYAP Newsletter Winter 2018

County Highlights

Lehigh Lehigh County ended 2017 with 377

cases, making it their highest year

to date. They are also on track to

beat that record this year. They

trained 5 new panelists this year

and also held a training presented

by the Center for Humanistic

change regarding the opioid crisis.

Luzerne Luzerne County recently completed

a refresher training for all current

panelists and are in the process of

planning their next recognition cere-

mony for the fall.

Philadelphia Founded in 1987, Philadelphia

County’s YAP celebrated 30 years

last fall. In the spirit of constant im-

provement, quarterly leadership

meetings are now being implement-

ed for all chairpersons. This year’s

graduation class included 49 new

panelists, their largest training class

since 2014.