JusticeWorks Cited for Growth. Again!

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In a recent celebration, the Pittsburgh Business Times honored JusticeWorks as one of Pittsburgh’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies! We were #19 with a 2 year growth rate of more than 90%! This is the third year in a row that we’ve made the list.

We are honored that counties throughout Pennsylvania (approaching 20) and now, other states (South Carolina open and California in formation) have entrusted us with assisting their most challenging cases.

We’re especially honored that, in this tough recessionary climate, our cost-effective alternatives are being recognized as a powerful tool for Juvenile Courts and Child Welfare agencies to stretch their budgets and achieve better outcomes.

And, we’re proud that our staff roster has increased by 96%. With so many people unemployed, it is great to be able to give a professional home to more and more. And, as always, we know that our growth reflects positive results and those are a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of our fantastic staff.

Just with the opportunities in the pipeline now, we’re confident that we’ll back on the list next year… Stay tuned.

JusticeWorks to Open Alternative Education School!
Compass Academy Creates “Positive Direction for Life”

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On August 26, 2011 JusticeWorks will open its Compass Academy in Mt. Carmel (Northumberland County), PA.

Compass Academy is licensed by the PA Department of Education as an Alternative School for Disruptive Youth and will serve high school students with behavioral problems and academic underachievement.

Compass Academy incorporates two Evidence Based Practices: PositiveBehavioral Interaction and WhyTry to establish a positive culture of learning; a value for lifelong education; and helping students attend school every day.

In addition to teachers, Compass Academy has on-site behavioral counseling aid. We use local school district curricula and help students perform at grade-level. We use the community as a classroom and create enjoyable teachable moments and provide valuable community service. We are flexible in our approach and rigorous in our standards.

We invite community members into the school to help students see a positive future for themselves. We reach out proactively to our students’ parents to help them maintain homework and behavioral boundaries.

Several Northumberland School Districts have contracted with CompassAcademy and we’ll be able to serve about 50 students. We’re excited that summer’s just about over and school’s in!

Kudos From Pike County JPO!!

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Dan,

I have taken notice of a demonstration of purpose in JusticeWorks activity, reports and meaningful comments.  I queried the satisfaction of our  juvenile probation officers and they confirm agreement.  Justice Works – Pike County staff have increased relational skills and their case management savvy is beyond wishful thinking.  I have increased confidence a consistent message is being delivered to both youth and parent alike through JW and probation officers.  We have open lines of communication and mutual support.  BARJ principles are on course.

Thank you for your efforts, the leadership of Theresa Fonalledas and the commendable skill and interest of her team in delivering an excellent service to Pike County youth.

Sincerely,

Ed Joyce
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
Pike County

We appreciate the active partnership of Chief Joyce and his team and we’re proud to have met their expectations.

Sweet 16: JusticeWorks Welcomes Indiana County Children & Youth Services.

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On June 1st, JusticeWorks YouthCare began serving Indiana County Children and Youth Services.  They became the 16th county that JusticeWorks serves in Pennsylvania.

We are providing our signature programs, STOPP® & JustCare® along with FGDM and a Transportation Program.

Paula McClure, the Executive Director of Indiana County Children and Youth Services, had this to say about the decision to contract with JusticeWorks;

“I liked your philosophy “Whatever it Takes”.  CYS wants families to resolve issues so the family foundation can be successfully built upon.  I like the fact that we are not trying to “fit” the family into services but the services are “tailored” to the family’s needs.”

We are excited to have become a value added partner to Indiana County Children & Youth Services and pledge Whatever it takes to help build better futures for youth, families, and the community of Indiana County.

JusticeWorks Welcomes Armstrong County Children and Youth Services

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Armstrong has become the 14th county in Pennsylvania to contract as a partner for our signature programs: STOPP® & JustCare®.

Armstrong County Children & Youth Administrator, Dennis Demangone had this to say about selecting JusticeWorks:

“We are pleased to add JusticeWorks YouthCare as a service provider resource to our Armstrong County families.  Your reputation to successfully engage youth and their families in producing desired outcomes is borne in my inquiry of some of your current county agency partners.”

We are proud to be a member of the Armstrong county community.  As a value added partner, JusticeWorks will replicate its state-wide positive outcomes while continuing to be cost effective.

JusticeWorks is honored by their trust in us and pledge to do whatever it takes to build better futures for youth and families of Armstrong County.  We will begin operations there in June, 2011.

 

Success Story: Reuniting Families across Oceans

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It all started with a referral from Pike County Children & Youth Services in regards to three boys who were homeless with their mother. After a court hearing, the three boys became dependents of CYS and placed in foster care as their mother could not safely support them.

At the court hearing, mom testified that she did not know where the natural father resided. She also testified that she did not know where the paternal grandparents lived. During the questioning, she testified that the last known location of the boy’s father or grandparents was in Levittown, Puerto Rico.

Deciding to do ‘whatever it takes’, Theresa Fonalledas, JusticeWorks Pike County Program Director contacted her cousin who lives in Puerto Rico to see if he could find any contact information on the father or grandparents. The next day, Theresa’s cousin provided the father’s phone number, as well as the phone number for the paternal grandparents. Theresa’s plan was to go to CYS in the morning and provide the information to the Caseworkers. Continue reading →

JusticeWorks Starts Operations in South Carolina!!

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On May 3, 2011 we received our final approval from the State of South Carolina to begin operations as a provider of rehabilitative behavioral health services and enroll in Medicaid.   We have formed JusticeWorks BehavioralCare and Richard Christian, M.Ed is our Executive Director.

We will offer a full range of community and school-based behavioral health services, utilizing our proven STOPP®, JustCare®, and VIP® models.  We will serve children and families referred by the Departments of: Social Services; Juvenile Justice; Education; and Mental Health.  Services will on May 16th.  For more information, see: www.justiceworksbc.org.

We have opened an office in Horry County and intend to begin serving Georgetown and Florence counties as well.  Our plan is to expand operations throughout the state where officials indicate a need for our innovative and proactive approach.

We are excited to have the opportunity to serve families in the Palmetto State and are appreciative of the support and encouragement we’ve received there.

Success in Pike County: A mom’s story

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Joannie went into foster care on August 24, 2009. The reason why she went into foster care was because her father did something that he shouldn’t of done to another child. So in September I got involved with Children and Youth, I had a lot to do to get Joannie back. I had to go to parenting classes and go for other things to prove to them that I can take care of her. I was going back and forth to court almost every month to track my progress. Trust me it was the hardest thing to find out that your child was taking away from their father for something and didn’t know why. I found out what happened when I received a phone call from a case worker from Children and Youth, they told me the reason. I cried when I was on the phone with the case worker. It was a long road that I wouldn’t want anyone to go down like I did. Finally, after a year, I went back to court on August 25, 2010 and the judge gave me Joannie Sunday evening through Friday afternoon for school. She had to go to a foster home for the weekends. Along with me getting Joannie back Sunday through Friday Justice Works got involved also at STOPP® level. I was then reduced to a JC4 then finally a JC2 level.  Justice Works helped me out a lot with coordinating Joannie’s mental health and behavior issues.  I’m still working with Justice Works. I went to court on February 1, 2011 and the judge gave me Joannie back full legal and physical custody.  I still have Justice Works in my life and they are very helpful with everything that I have been through and very supportive.  As of February 1, 2011 my legal case with Children and Youth is closed however, they are still monitoring it.   The best thing that has happened to me and Joannie was a couple days before Christmas we got the ok for my boyfriend to be around her. That was the best Christmas we ever had in years. Joannie calls my boyfriend Christopher daddy, to her that’s the only daddy that she has. She loves him more than she loves her real father.   And now he’s living with Joannie and myself and we are one happy family.  If it wasn’t for Amanda from Justice Works my fiancé wouldn’t be allowed around Joannie, she is one who got the ball rolling with Children and Youth to let Christopher to start being in Joannie’s life. I also call Amanda from Justice Works at any time if I have any issues with Joannie, she gives me advice I need it to deal with Joannie

Sincerely,

Melissa R.

We thank this Mom for taking the time to write about her experience & we appreciate the caring committed efforts of Amanda Olving-Chapman, our Family Resource Specialist for achieving such a positive outcome!

Mission Statement

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JusticeWorks YouthCare has provided innovative solutions for Juvenile Courts and Child Welfare Agencies since 1999. Our mission is to fill in the missing links in existing service systems to improve outcomes for troubled youth and their families, while maximizing public resources and improving communities’ quality of life.

Welcome to JusticeWorks!

To see JusticeWorks in action, please read & participate the following news and success story threads submitted by staff. Please note that names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

We welcome you to research our organization by viewing the pages on the menu to your right. If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to visit the contact page to reach individual branches and employees of JusticeWorks.

We hope you enjoy your stay! Thanks for stopping by and come back soon.

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Names of all clients are changed to respect their privacy and confidentiality.