Youth Services Center

OVERVIEW

The Youth Services Center (YSC), which includes a juvenile detention facility, opened in September of 2006. The YSC contains an admissions unit, seven living units, a kitchen and dining room, a health and dental clinic, a fully-accredited school, and a gym and outdoor recreation area. The capacity of the YSC is 180 youth, with an average daily population of 159 in 2009.

PROGRAMMING

Youth can participate in many programming options while at the Youth Services Center, ranging from cognitive skills workshops to folk dancing. Some are provided by outside agencies, some by volunteers, and some are led by staff. Through participation in programming, youth learn valuable coping and life skills.

Five key programs anchor services at the Youth Services Center:

1. Fresh Lifelines For Youth (FLY) helps youth learn about the legal, social, and individual consequences of their actions and provides youth with positive role models.
   
   
2. Mind Body Awareness Project (MBA) focuses youths’ attention through mindfulness and meditation. The agency teaches coping skills that youth can take with them back to their communities.
   
   
3. Boys Council is a structured and strengths-based group approach to help boys and young men develop safe and healthy relationships.
   
   
4. Time-and-Terminate (TNT) provides older youth with skills for independent living when they leave the Youth Services Center. Youth learn how to use a computer and fill out a job application. Staff transport youth to get their driver’s license or to job interviews. Youth can earn a GED and in some cases take college-level courses.
   
   
5. The Olympics provide youth with a positive and creative outlet during the winter and summer school breaks. Staff coordinate a wide range of sports and academic activities.

Some other programs offered at the Youth Services Center include: life skills, Becoming a Man, Omega Boys Club, Narcotic and Alcoholics Anonymous, essay and spelling contests, victim awareness, pro-social skills, expressive painting, self esteem, knitting, book club, and bible study.

PARTNER AGENCIES

Other County agencies collaborate with the Probation Department to provide education, food and health, and mental health services at the Hall.

Photo Gallery - (Click to enlarge)

ALTERNATIVE TO DETENTION

The Institutions and Juvenile Services Divisions collaborate to offer three alternative to detention programs for youth.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Parents who want to set up visits with their child should call (650) 312-5327

If you have questions about a court case, contact the San Mateo County Courts.
If you want to know which Probation Officer is assigned to your case, call (650) 312-8807.