	Juvenile Justice Day Services

Introduction

Administration and Management

Service Delivery Administration Standards

Service Standards

PA-JJD 9: Maintaining Safety and Security

The agency maintains a safe, secure environment where youth, personnel, and community members are protected from harm.

Note: PA-ASE and PA-BSM address additional practices that contribute to safety and security.

PA-JJD 9.01

The agency provides sufficient supervision to ensure the safety of youth, personnel, and the community, and additional personnel are available in case of emergency.

Interpretation: Personnel-to-youth ratios should be based on youths’ risks and needs. Higher ratios may be advisable during field trips away from the program site, as referenced in PA-JJD 9.05.

PA-JJD 9.02

To promote the safety and security of youth, the facility, and the community, the agency:

regulates entry into and exit from the facility;
monitors youths’ attendance; and
follows up when youth are unexpectedly absent.

PA-JJD 9.03

When it is necessary to search youth or their property, trained personnel do so according to procedures that:

are consistent with applicable state and federal law;
define when there is reasonable cause to conduct a search;
minimize the invasiveness of the search;
respect youths’ dignity; and
establish a process and timetable for administrative review.

Interpretation: Agencies should conduct more invasive searches only when there is reason to do so, and demonstrate that these searches are: (1) conducted by qualified staff, and (2) accompanied by an increased level of administrative review.

PA-JJD 9.04

Weapons are prohibited within the facility, and armed law enforcement officers are required to check weapons in a secure area.

Update: Added Interpretation, Added Related Standard - 06/01/09

Interpretation: If agency policy allows armed law enforcement officers to enter the agency's facilities, the agency should explain: (1) under what circumstances this practice is permitted (e.g., in emergency situations), and (2) how safety is ensured while the armed officers are on site.

PA-JJD 9.05

When youth have opportunities to participate in activities away from the program site, the agency:

defines when youth are eligible for the opportunity;
evaluates youth for eligibility and appropriateness; and
provides or arranges for sufficient support and supervision.

PA-JJD 9.06

The agency appropriately and consistently documents, reviews, and reports incidents of youth noncompliance.

Interpretation: The agency should follow any applicable policies, procedures or other rules for reporting infractions such as unexcused absences to the court or other party with jurisdiction over youth.

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	PURPOSE: Juvenile Justice Day Services promote public safety and reduce the need for out-of-home placements by allowing youth to reside in their communities while they address problems and develop the attitudes and skills needed to make responsible choices, avoid negative behaviors, and become productive, connected, and law-abiding members of their communities.

RELATED FILES


	SERVICE One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.


	CONNECTED The means by which individuals access services that may or may not be provided by the organization itself. These terms are used interchangeably when individuals are connected to services either directly or by referral. See also LINKED.


	PERSONNEL The body of employees and/or volunteers that carries out the organization's tasks under the organization's administration and/or supervision. This definition does not include foster parents who are specifically referenced in relevant standards


	COMMUNITY A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.


	PRACTICE Established actions or ways of proceeding in the regular performance of organizational duties. Policies and procedures often guide practice.


	SUPERVISION Assumption of responsibility for directly overseeing and evaluating the work or work products of personnel within an organization. Also includes inspecting the act or process of accomplishing a function or activity.


	CASE A general term used to designate clients (including individuals, families, and groups) served by an organization for purposes of monitoring the provision of services. A foster care case is generally based on the placement of an individual child, although casework for the child may include services to the child's family. A child protective services case is based on an entire family household if a family assessment model is used; otherwise a case is defined as a child.


	PROGRAM A system of services offered by an organization. For example, an organization providing a mental health service may offer several mental health programs to different populations, e.g., a mental health program for adolescent teens. The word "program" can be used interchangeably with the word "service" or to describe specific programs.


	ELIGIBILITY The degree to which an individual, family, group, or community meets the specific criteria and qualifications required to receive goods, benefits, or services.


	APPROPRIATENESS The degree to which a particular service, placement, treatment, intervention, or activity is: best suited to an individual's needs; not excessive, unduly intrusive, or restrictive; anticipated to be effective in achieving the desired and specified outcomes; and adequate or sufficient in quantity to address the problem.