JRB is a community-based diversion process offered to youth who have committed minor delinquent acts or youth who are displaying at-risk behaviors at home or school that could result in an arrest or a referral to the juvenile court.

The goal of the JRB is to keep youth out of the juvenile justice system and provide support and services for youth (and families) in order to help build necessary skills for ongoing success. JRBs address the underlying cause of a youth’s behavior and help him or her avoid future involvement with the juvenile justice system.

In a typical year, our JRB deals with 150-200 cases.

Last year, 96% of the youth who went through our program were not re-arrested.

Waterbury Youth Services Inc.’s JRB consists of a Program Manager, one Case Manager and is largely supported by volunteers. The JRB can order youth to undertake counseling, conflict resolution classes, therapy, substance abuse services, mentoring, tutoring assistance, or a variety of other programs. The Board can also require students to write essays or letters of apology, or perform community service.

The make-up of a JRB should represent the community in which it serves in regards to race, ethnicity, and culture. The goal of membership is to create a cohesive group of knowledgeable and passionate professionals and community members who can work together to address the needs of the youth, families and the community.

A JRB should consist of members of the community who have some experience in matters of child development, adolescent behavior, family dynamics, youth development, and/or juvenile laws and procedures. Members should be committed to providing dedicated and consistent service to the JRB, while effectively contributing to the process in a respectful and appropriate manner.

You must be 21 years of age or older, hold a valid US Driver's License and have no criminal record.

Initial training approx. 2 hours. Annual trainings as necessary

2 hours per month, typically after school hours on Tuesday or Wednesday

It's helpful to possess a knowledge of   child development and family dynamics and understand the principles and concepts of working with families, and applicable law and legal principles.  Basic knowledge of and willingness to participate in Restorative Practices.

Helpful backgrounds include but are not limited to: School Administrators, Guidance Counselors and/or Social Workers, Law Enforcement Officers, Juvenile Court personnel, Department of Children and Families personnel, Mental Health Providers or other agencies serving youth, Members of the faith community, and Local business persons.

Cases are referred to Waterbury Youth Services by City Police, Schools, Court, as well as other sources. Youth must remain in WYS’ JRB program for six months.

The Waterbury Juvenile Review Board accepts 1st and 2nd time offenders. Offenses may include misdemeanors, school rules violations, non-violent felonies, and FWSN- truancy referrals. The youth must not have current court involvement, however previous involvement (JRB, arrests, probation) that has been resolved may be accepted.

If WYS’s JRB recommends a service, WYS typically funds the expense.

There are a wide range of services our JRB may recommend, including: counseling, conflict resolution classes, therapy, substance abuse services, individual and group mentoring, tutoring assistance, pro-social activities, employment related classes, and others.

We have a strong relationship with many community providers that we access based on the family’s needs. Some programs that are utilized most often include: Wellmore, Family and Children’s Aid, YMCA, BAGS, Hoops for Life, Outside Perspectives, Waterbury Knights Football/Cheer/Dance, and Travel Center (bus passes). Some other organizations that we use include: Perspective Center for Care, Tides of Mind, Dynamites Gymnastics, Lights/Camera/Dance, Seven Angels Theater, Bionic Body, EMB Academy, Mattatuck Museum, Hispanic Coalition, Police Explorers, and Girls Inc.