The purpose of the Jefferson Parish Youth and Planning Board is to participate in
the formulation of and to prepare a comprehensive plan for services and programs for
children and youth in Jefferson Parish, as follows: to assist in the development,
implementation, and operation of services which encourage positive development, diversion
of children and youth from the criminal justice and the foster care system, reduction
in the commitments of youth to state institutions, and providing community response
to the growing rate of juvenile delinquency. The coordination and implementation of
services shall include, but are not limited to prevention, early intervention, diversion,
alternatives to home displacement, alternatives to incarceration, and treatment services.
The assessment, alignment, coordination, prioritization, and measurement of all available
services and programs that address the needs of children and youth including those
at risk for, or identified with, social, emotional, or developmental problems, including,
but not limited to educational failure, abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, juvenile
or parental mental illness, juvenile or parental substance abuse, poverty, developmental
disabilities and delinquency. The board is intended to encourage collaborative efforts
among local stakeholders for assessing the physical, social, behavioral, and educational
needs of children and youth in their respective communities and for assisting in the
development of comprehensive plans to address such needs. The board shall perform
all services authorized by La. R.S. 46:1941.1 et seq.
