Pentz Run Youth Services is a co-ed Group Home and Emergency Shelter for dependent and delinquent youth 10 through 17 years of age.  Our staff secure facility provides services for youth that require alternative living arrangements.  We have a total capacity of 18 beds.  Up to 10 of the beds may be designated as shelter beds.

Referrals are accepted from Juvenile Probation Departments and Children and Youth Services as well as Clearfield-Jefferson Mobile Crisis and local Family Based Mental Health Programs.  Admission is determined on an individual basis, without regard to race, color, creed, sex or national origin.

Referrals can be initiated by a telephone call.  Staff will guide you through the admission process.  Approval for Emergency Shelter placement can be made over the phone, once the intake is completed.  The approval process for group Home placement requires an interview with the referred youth.  Youth can be admitted under emergency shelter then rolled to group.

Exclusions:

Pentz Run Youth Services does not accept youth that exhibit any of the following behaviors:  profound intellectual disability, severe personality or mental health disorders, active psychosis, or youth who require a locked facility.  Pentz Run Youth Services is a staff secure facility.  Pentz Run Youth Services does not accept youth that are currently aggressive/assaultive, under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or a danger to themselves or others.

Acceptance for adolescents under the age of 12 will be limited to:

• Placing agencies have nowhere else to place the adolescent

• Not wanting to separate siblings

• The adolescent is physically mature for his or her age

GROUP HOME

ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA

Pentz Run Youth Services’ Group Home accepts male and female dependent/delinquent youth who require long term alternatives to their current living situations.  We accept adolescents ages 10 through 17 (see General Admission for adolescents under the age of 12).  At present Pentz Run Youth Services is licensed for eighteen (18) beds.

Referrals are accepted from County Children and Youth Agencies and Juvenile Probation Departments.  Referrals are received on a 24-hour basis and are generally initiated through phone contact from the referring agency.

Admission is determined on an individual basis, without regard to race, color, creed, sex or national origin.

Following a request for placement, referring agencies will be asked to forward the following information for review.

1.         A psychosocial history, including family dynamics, presenting problem and specific services that are being requested.

2.         A current psychological evaluation.

3.         School records.

4.         Significant medical history.

5.         Involvement with other agencies that would be pertinent in the development of the Individual Service Plan.

If, following a review of the information submitted, we feel that the youth may benefit from our services, the referring agency is contacted and arrangements are made to interview the youth.  Following the interview a decision will be made as to the appropriateness of the youth for our program and the referring agency will be notified.

The voluntary Placement Agreement/Court Order must be presented at the time of admission.  If not available at the time of admission, we must receive the document within 72 hours of admission.  An updated Family Service Plan must be received within two weeks.

Youth may also transfer from shelter care to group care based on their adjustment in the program.