Description of Services

ANY YOUTH UP TO AGE 18 AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES

Counseling
Short-term outreach counseling services are provided for youth and/or families regarding a wide variety of issues and concerns common to childhood and adolescent growth and development.

Skill building and support groups
Designed to help youth develop positive and responsible coping, decision making and problem solving skills within the context of a supportive peer group.

Juvenile Review Board
A program to help divert youth from the juvenile justice system, the JRB is a team effort between the Police Department, Juvenile Court, the Board of Education, YSB and community members to assist children and families of children who have committed minor delinquent acts or children/youth who are displaying at risk behaviors at home or school which could result in a referral to the juvenile court.  The goal of this program is to help the youth take responsibility for their actions and to get connected with community services to assist with underlying issues.

Summer Youth Employment Program
SYEP is funded by the Northwest Regional Investment Board, sponsored by the City of Torrington, and run by the Youth Service Bureau.  Youth ages 14-21 who are on reduced/free lunch at school or have an IEP.  Participants work 20 hours per week for 6 weeks at local non-profit agencies, retail, banks and local business to gain employment skills and experience.

SYEP –Year Round Program
This is a continuation of the Summer Youth Employment Program on a smaller scale.  Youth who participated in the Summer Program can work after school throughout the year.

Community Based Life Skills/Mentor program
A collaborative effort with DCF which provides case management counseling, pre-employment skills training, and life skills development to youth returning to the community from residential treatment facilities.  Adult mentors work with youth referred.

Positive Youth Development Programs
Include various activities which create opportunities for youth to experience meaningful involvement within their family, school, peer group, and community.  Special emphasis is placed on skill building, personal growth and fostering positive interpersonal relationships.

Prevention Activities
Designed to encourage healthy choices and behaviors through the development of skills and knowledge in areas such as:  self esteem, coping abilities, values clarification, peer relationships, communication, and community awareness.

Toy Drive
The Youth Service Bureau in conjunction with the Department of Children and Families provides Christmas gifts for local needy children from infancy to age 18 who are in foster care, residential facilities, or homes experiencing hardship.

Referrals
Referrals for services by the agency are accepted from parents, agencies, probation officers, police, schools and youth themselves.  .