Rehabilitation Program Helping Adjudicated Young Men Successfully Reenter Communities

WHITE HAVEN, PA – Yesterday, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller visited Youth Forestry Camp 2 (YFC2), a 49-bed open residential facility for adjudicated delinquent males located in Hickory Run State Park in Carbon County. YFC2 primarily serves young men age 14 to 20 with delinquency, addiction, and socially maladaptive issues.

YFC2 has stepped up efforts to better prepare young men to successfully reenter their communities with appropriate training to complete their education, get a job, and obtain evidence-based treatment services. DHS has partnered with Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit to provide recognizable, industry-standard training and certification to eligible youth through vocational programs in recovery, GED preparation and testing, various vocational certifications, and hands-on digital printing programs, which can lead to employment opportunities and self-sufficiency, the ultimate goal.

“It is critical that we continue to provide real-life opportunities to these individuals as they work toward bettering their future upon release. The work being done at YFC2 to prepare these youth is a testament to our mission at DHS to empower the individuals we serve to be self-sufficient. Every youth throughout Pennsylvania should be given the tools necessary to thrive and succeed,” said Secretary Miller.

All programs within the Youth Development Center/Youth Forestry Camp (YDC/YFC) system are Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training Alliance (PACTT) affiliates.

In addition to work-ready certifications, YFC2 has multiple rehabilitation programs for youth, including the Hazelden Curriculum for youth in need of drug and alcohol treatment, a forward-thinking curriculum for youth in need of cognitive behavioral therapy, and community service programs.

“The department is committed to providing a system of individualized treatment services that values strong child, family, and community partnerships to promote competency development and victim awareness to the youth entering rehabilitation,” Sec. Miller said.