The Lancaster City Youth Aid Panel (YAP) is looking to bring on new members, with training being offered as soon as November 1st.  The Lancaster City Youth Aid Panel will meet monthly during evening hours at the Lancaster City Bureau of Police station at 39 W. Chestnut St. Lancaster, PA.  The panel is made up of concerned citizens of various backgrounds who volunteer their time. To participate, they receive 15 hours of mandatory training on criminal justice topics such as police interaction with youth, interview and counseling techniques and the impact of addictions. Generally, panels meet once a month for approximately 3-4 hours to hear cases of referred youth. All Panel members must go through a criminal record check and child abuse clearances in order to participate. If a young person makes a poor choice as they progress to adulthood, the YAP program affords them the opportunity to discuss their behavior with individuals from their own community to clearly define mutual understanding and agreed upon disposition that addresses the needs of the juvenile, victim, and community.

What is the Youth Aid Panel? -- The Youth Aid Panel is an alternative method for addressing juvenile criminal actions without the matter being filed with the court system. The panel exists to assist the Juvenile and District courts and is used as a response to first-time summary and misdemeanor offenses. Police officers from participating jurisdictions can refer cases to the Youth Aid Panel for alternate disposition. The panel is not a court of law and does not determine guilt or innocence. The offense is reviewed and resolved by a specially designed community panel, the young offender and his/her parents or guardians. Because due process protection is a high priority, the youth or his/her guardians may choose to dismiss themselves from the program and enter the juvenile court system at any time.

The schedule for upcoming training is:

Tuesday Nov 1st -6pm-9pm

Wednesday Nov 9th- 6pm-9pm -Due to Voting/Election

Tuesday Nov 15th -6pm-9pm

Tuesday Nov 22-6pm-9pm

Tuesday Nov 29- 6pm-9pm.

Training is conducted and hosted by the Lancaster County District Attorney's office.  For more information on how to join please visit https://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/524/How-to-Become-a-Memberand fill out an application!