Appropriating $49,231.00 Federal Assistance Grant for Operation of the Youth Services Bureau

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YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU: THE REFERRAL PROCESS In keeping with our promise of accessibility, we have endeavored to make it as easy as practical for young persons to receive service from us. We receive referrals from the following sources: 1. Police agencies notify us of children who are minor offenders and recommend that we do the follow -up work. 2. The Probation Department recommends youth who would seem to benefit from services adjunct to what they are currently re- ceiving from their probation officer. 3. The Welfare department refers youngsters whose families are receiving help from DPW. 4. Schools notify us about children exhibiting problems in the schools. 5. Other social agencies refer clients to us because of programs we have which are unique in our community. 6. Parents and relatives call us. 7. Young people themselves call to ask for assistance. 8. Local and National Hotlines call to refer troubled youngsters. In all cases, our response is the same. We usually are able to make our first contact within 24 hours; immediately if specified. We charge no fee. We have no application or "red tape" for intake. We are informal in our approach to the family involved. By avoiding a stereotyped interrogation of the child and his family we are able to elicit more information and create a much more open atmosphere in which to work with the client. Our counseling is primarily "out- reach ", which means that we go to the client and don't require them to come to the office. This is beneficial for several reasons: The client has no excuse for missing an appointment, we gain a wealth of information from being able to view the environment of the client, we are showing trust by seeing them on their "turf ", we are making a committment of time and concern for them which makes it easier to obtain the corresponding committ-nent from them, and the client is comfortable and able to quickly get to the heart of the problem.