York County PREP

Goal

Diakon Youth Services’ Parenting Relationships and Employability  Program is designed to provide training, education and support focused on social skills and community connections for pre- and post- adjudicated delinquent and dependent males and females 15 to 19 years of age. Operated in the evening, the program works collaboratively with juvenile probation departments; children, youth and family services; schools, youths, parents, extended families, and the community.  Diverse staff and programming emphasize physical, psychological and emotional safety for everyone and helps those who have been victims rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.

Developing Success

This program engages students and parents in a variety of ways within a highly structured competency-based evening program. Through  mentoring, role-modeling and support, program staff members build  
a strong foundation of knowledge and skills focused on successful completion of competency in such areas as community connections, workforce development and family relationships.

  • Aggression Replacement Training
  • Academic enrichment
  • PACTT portfolio development and programming
  • Career and technical certifications
  • Drug and alcohol education
  • Family engagement
  • Say It Straight
  • Workforce Development
  • CareerScope assessment
  • Community service

What is PREP?

The Parenting Relationships and Employability Program incorporates a range of approaches, activities and support to help participants develop appropriate community connections and build the skills necessary for long-term success:

  • Aggression Replacement Training inclusive of social skills training, anger control and moral reasoning
  • Extensive workforce development activities and support:
    • CareerScope assessment to measure work interest and aptitude, providing fully detailed reports
    • ServSafe certification for safe handling of food and beverages
    • Pennsylvania Academic & Career/Technical Training-supported programming, providing  guidance and  uniformity for work-related training; the training incorporates 27   employability competencies, organized under five domains checked  off as students successfully  fulfill requirements.
    • CareerSafe online safety awareness training
  • Academic enrichment programming including small class size, study-skills support, truancy-prevention education and support
  • Community service projects that promote the value of volunteerism and civic engagement; hours are earned through volunteering to work for nonprofit organizations
  • Say It Straight is a researched based education and training program that results in empowering communication skills and behaviors, increased self awareness, positive relationships, personal and social responsibility, and decreased risky and destructive behaviors, such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, violence, and precocious sexual behavior, and behaviors leading to HIV/AIDS.
  • Recreational activities such as indoor programming and team-oriented sports; includes periodic use of motivational and team-building programs at the Diakon Wilderness Center (high ropes courses, rock walls, Alpine tower)
  • Family strengths-based development and engagement

Referrals

The Diakon Parenting Relationships and Employability Program serves male and female youths from 15 to 19 years of age. The program is based at 836 S. George St., York.

To make a referral to Diakon Youth Services’ PREP –  Contact:
Ron Davis
Mobile: (610) 291-7731
Email: DavisR@diakon.org