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Youth Services

With a specific focus on coordination, accountability, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, the Division for Youth Services supports, convenes, strategizes, and collaborates with community partners and stakeholders to ensure that Hartford’s youth, ages nine to 25, have quality opportunities to develop the competencies critical to academic success and workforce development, while also disrupting the pipeline of Youth Justice . As Hartford’s Youth Service Bureau (YSB), the Division for Youth Services is part of the Connecticut Youth Services Association’s (CYSA) network of YSBs dedicated to promoting the well-being of the community’s children, youth, and families.

Program Services

Youth Justice

Hartford Youth Violence Prevention and Intervention Work Group

Hartford Youth Violence Prevention and Intervention Work Group and Rapid Response Protocol is an immediate and coordinated response that addresses the multi-faceted needs that a young person may have when they are involved in an incident of violence, specifically that of a shooting or stabbing incident.

Juvenile Review Board

The Hartford Juvenile Review Board (JRB) is a community-based diversion process for youth that may otherwise be referred to the Juvenile Court for minor violations of the law. One of the features of the JRB model that sets it apart from other programs designed to assist youth and families, and one of the reasons for its success, is that each JRB program is unique to the community it serves

Local Interagency Service Team (LIST)

The Hartford Juvenile Court District Local Interagency Service Team (LIST) is comprised of Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Glastonbury, West Hartford, and Windsor Youth Services Departments

Racial & Ethnic Disparity Committee

The Hartford Racial and Ethnic Disparity Committee is designed to engage state, municipal and community actors working with youth in the juvenile justice system to track the disproportionate involvement of youth of color in that system and to identify areas for tracking, advocacy and reform.

Truancy and Family With Service Needs Services

Due to a change in state law in August 2017 (Public Act 16-147), youth can no longer be referred to court if they are truant from school. Interventions through the school are used to encourage school attendance, however if attendance does not improve, schools may refer students/families to a Youth Service Bureau (YSB).

Youth Justice Initiative Grant Programs

The Youth Justice Initiative provides Hartford youth with services and supports, through a continuum of prevention, diversion, intervention, youth second chances and truancy reduction programming, which are vital components to addressing youth justice for Hartford’s young people.

Workforce Development

Hartford Opportunity Youth Collaborative

Hartford Opportunity Youth Collaborative is chaired by the Mayor of Hartford and made up of leaders in education, youth development, and workforce development committed to supporting Opportunity Youth to obtain their high school diploma, continue their education, and find employment.

Hartford Youth Advisory Board

The Hartford Youth Advisory Board (HYAB) provides an opportunity for Hartford youth to advise the Division for Youth Services in its efforts and strategies related to its areas of focus.

HOYC Training and Employment and Employment Navigation Tool

Do you need help finding employment services? COMPLETE THIS BRIEF SURVEY relating to your educational needs, career interests, and desired services. The Tool will then direct you to a list of programs and services tailored to your individual survey responses. If you have immediate basic needs that are unmet please click this link to visit the broader 211 portal at 211ct.org. For additional help in

HOYC Youth Training and Employment

The HOYC Youth Training & Employment Navigation Tool is designed to promote access and engagement for disconnected youth in the Greater Hartford region. The Tool will be available on the HOYC website, United Way 211, and elsewhere with mobile compatibility.

Summer Youth Employment and Learning Programs

The Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program (SYELP) has special significance in our community — giving young people the chance to earn a paycheck while building the experience and the skills that are necessary for success in college and careers. The SYELP boosts graduation rates and college enrollment, providing know-how, confidence and tangible skills.

Youth Service Corps

Youth Service Corps members engage in paid, community service-based projects designed to impact Hartford neighborhoods while helping them build skills and a resume. Projects include free lawn care services, snow removal for seniors & disabled residents, and support to non-profits.

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