Chester County PREP

Goal

Diakon Youth Services’ Parenting Relationships and Employability Program (PREP) 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 14 to 18 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. Attendance in the evening hours, promotes structured time for program participants while engaged in prosocial interactions and structured programming.

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
  • Family engagement
  • Workforce Development
  • CareerScope assessment
  • Community service

Diakon Parenting Relationships and Employability Program (PREP) has partnerships with other established Chester County Programs that provide highly beneficial programming to all PREP participants and allows the participants to develop an understanding of what other Chester County services are available to them following their discharge from Prep.

  • ARTS HOLDING HANDS AND HEARTS (AHHAH)
  • Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
  • Careerlink
  • Planned Parenthood

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 ofsocial skills training, anger control and mora
reasoning.

Extensive workforce development activities and support:

  • PACTT Affiliated
  • Providing guidance
  • 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- OSHA courses that provide online safety and health training and an industry recognized credential that holds value for a lifetime.
  • Academic enrichment programming including small class size, study-skills support, truancy- prevention education. In addition, PREP will communicate directly with participants’ school to understand the academic support the student may need to remain on a positive academic path.
  • Community service projects that promote the value of volunteerism and civic engagement; hours are earned through volunteering to work for nonprofit organizations 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 strength-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 The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at 107 S 17th Avenue. Coatesville. To make a referral to Diakon Youth Services’ Contact:

Ron Davis
Mobile: (610) 291-7731
Email: DavisR@diakon.org

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