Position: Program Coordinator, Juvenile Diversion Unit
Unit: Juvenile Diversion
Reports to: Program Development Manager
Company Description
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (DAO) is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives and support staff. Our Assistant District Attorneys are dedicated to public service, public safety, and justice for all involved in the criminal justice system.
The Juvenile Diversion Unit handles all cases diverted out of the Juvenile Justice System. Diversion is an opportunity to reroute a young person’s case, pre-petition, from the traditional juvenile justice system to community- based programming. It is an opportunity for young people to avoid a juvenile record & the collateral consequences of juvenile justice system involvement.
**Please note that effective September 1, 2021, the City of Philadelphia requires all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. **
All Philadelphia City employees must reside in the City of Philadelphia. Non-residents who accept a job offer must be a city of Philadelphia resident within 6 months (180 days) of hire and able to work completely in the office.
Summary of the different tracks within Juvenile Diversion
The Youth Aid Panel (YAP) is one tier of the three primary juvenile diversion opportunities. Youth and their parents appear before a panel comprised of trained volunteers who live in the police district where the youth resides. The panel members interview the youth and the parents regarding the offense, school performance, interest, goals, and home life. This information is used to develop an action plan which the youth agrees to complete. The agreements may entail enrollment in after-school programming, conflict resolution workshops, an apology to the victim, restitution, community service, etc. Assignment as Program Coordinator for YAP is determined by and at the discretion of the Director and Program Manager.
Diversion Plus (DV+) is a second tier of the three primary juvenile diversion opportunities. The DAO has partnered with case management agencies to ensure that youth entering into diversion receive ongoing case management, monitoring, and wrap-around services in conjunction with their programming. There is a rebuttable presumption that diverted youth who are 15-17 years old shall be referred to case management agencies. If a young person is eligible for Diversion Plus programming, the case management partner shall connect the young person with the designated program and monitor the young person’s attendance and progress in the program. The case management partner shall provide diverted youth with additional supports and services as appropriate in their discretion, including, but not limited to: housing support, employment assistance, child care aid, clothing needs, life skills training, transportation assistance, vital document support, and food aid.
Restorative Justice Diversion (RJD) is a third tier within the three primary juvenile diversion opportunities. Restorative Justice Diversion is a survivor-centered diversion program in which a young person accused of harming another will undertake a process by which the young person repairs harm to: (i) the person harmed, (ii) the youth’s family/caregiver, (iii) the youth’s community, and (iv) the youth themselves.
Summary of Job
The Juvenile Diversion Program Coordinator is responsible for overseeing and coordinating services provided by community-based providers within the Juvenile Diversion Program network. This includes monitoring case management, Youth Aid Panel (YAP) services, restorative justice programming, and other diversion services provided to youth diverted from the juvenile court system. The Program Coordinator ensures that youth and their families receive appropriate, timely, and effective services consistent with program expectations, contractual requirements, and the individual needs of each youth.
The Program Coordinator provides ongoing oversight of assigned diversion cases and works collaboratively with community-based providers to monitor service delivery, address barriers to successful program participation, and support positive outcomes for youth and families. The position requires regular communication and collaboration with the Director of Juvenile Diversion, Juvenile Diversion Program Development Manager, Juvenile Diversion Program Operations Manager, fellow Program Coordinators, unit paralegal, and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and oversight of diversion services.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Conduct intake assessments at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC) by reviewing case allegations, gathering relevant information, assessing diversion eligibility, and assisting with the identification of appropriate diversion programming based on the youth’s individual needs.
- Assess the needs of youth and families and connect them with appropriate community-based resources, including counseling, behavioral health services, food resources, educational support, and other identified services.
- Serve as a liaison between youth and families, community-based organizations, law enforcement, social service agencies, and the District Attorney’s Office to support communication and coordination of diversion services.
- Schedule, coordinate, and participate in corrective planning meetings and case conferences with youth, guardians, program providers, and other relevant agencies to address concerns related to diversion participation.
- Maintain timely, accurate, and complete case documentation, including updates to the DAO Perform database, file keeping, internal tracking spreadsheets, required forms, and other program records.
- Monitor youth participation and progress throughout the diversion process and communicate concerns, barriers, or changes in circumstances to Program Development Manager and service providers.
- Collaborate with Unit Administrators, Program Coordinators, and community-based providers to identify and address barriers that may impact a youth’s successful participation in diversion programming.
- Engage youth and guardians to obtain feedback regarding their diversion experience and assist with identifying opportunities to improve service delivery and program outcomes.
- Assist youth and families with navigating community-based services and other supportive resources necessary to promote successful participation and completion of diversion requirements.
- Support community engagement activities and initiatives associated with the Juvenile Diversion Unit, including participation in community events, outreach efforts, and program-related activities.
- Oversee Youth Aid Panel (YAP) operations, when assigned, including assisting with the recruitment and training of YAP volunteer panelists; scheduling and attending evening panel conferences at police districts/community locations; and maintaining communication with volunteers, youth and families, and assigned law enforcement personnel.
- Oversee Diversion+ operations, when assigned, including maintaining regular communication with community-based case management partners, participating in provider meetings and site visits, assisting with case-related concerns, and supporting the coordination of services for participating youth.
- Oversee Restorative Justice Diversion operations, when assigned, including maintaining regular communication with community-based restorative justice partners, participating in provider meetings, site visits, and restorative circles (if applicable), assisting with case-related concerns, and supporting the coordination of services for participating youth.
- Participate in unit meetings, trainings, case conferences, and other professional development activities as required.
- Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the operations and objectives of the Juvenile Diversion Unit.
Education
- Must have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- 1 year minimum of case management experience or other relevant experience preferred
Experience
- Must be able to work and communicate effectively with diverse client populations of all ages; Bilingual is a plus.
- Must have good organizational skills, possessing the ability to manage a number of tasks simultaneously and be flexible.
- Must have excellent interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of and experience in the delinquent and dependent systems preferred.
- Knowledge and experience of community serving agencies and the juvenile justice system is preferred.
- Possess critical thinking skills and a willingness to learn.
- Must be able to travel to various locations throughout the city of Philadelphia during non-traditional work hours.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Understanding of the uniquely sensitive and confidential nature of the professional services provided by the Office.
Benefits
This is an exempt employee with the City of Philadelphia. Immediately upon assuming office, new hire will receive benefits similar to those of other City of Philadelphia employees, including the benefits noted below:
- Generous retirement savings options available (pension plan and etc.)
- We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PFLF) Program qualified employer
- We offer comprehensive health coverage (medical, vision, prescription and dental) for employees and their eligible dependents
- Annual paid time off (PTO) package: 10 vacation days, 15 sick leave days, 11 paid holidays, 5 annual administrative leave
- Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
- Before tax commuter program
- Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Sick leave bonuses and exchanges
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Applications will be active for one year from the date of receipt by the Office.
All exempt employees of the District Attorney’s Office are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the District Attorney. The at-will relationship shall not be modified for any employee and no agreement, oral or written, shall be entered into that changes the at-will relationship.
** The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. **
