1117 1/2 South Clinton Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
phone: (260) 449-7511   fax: (260) 449-7064

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 9 am – 4 pm or by appointment. 
Please call ahead.

Since 1982 youth and families have been receiving free services to help with at risk, troubled youth. 

The Youth Service Bureau handles truancy issues, runaways and helps transition youth back into the community after incarceration.

Youth Service Bureau:

• Works with Ft Wayne Community Schools to help young adults complete their high school education or GED and to develop marketable work skills
• Serves children and parents (families) who desperately need guidance and support for delinquency prevention

Youth Service Bureau Roles:

• Advocacy- support, represent and protect the well being of children and youth.
• Delinquency prevention- prevents delinquency and diverts young people from the justice system.
• Community Education- informs and educates citizens about services available to link the needs of youth to community resources.
• Information and Referral- share information and maintain a referral system among all service agencies for youth.

Youth Service Bureau Programs:

• Status Offender Court Alternative Program - SOCAP intervenes in the lives of youth at an early stage by addressing negative behaviors such as truancy and leaving home without permission.  SOCAP serves through intervention, problem solving, short-term case management, monitoring and individual action plans.
• Family Support Conferencing - FSC is a strength-based practice that enables families to create a healthier living environment.  Professional Facilitators work with the family to develop an action plan for the child.  95% of the families surveyed responded positively to this program.
• Youth Life Skills - Offers an alternative, educational environment to students who struggle in a traditional high school setting.  Youth can receive their GED or high school diploma through the YLS program.  Fort Wayne Community Schools collaborate to provide the resources necessary to maintain this program.
• Anti-Graffiti Network (Graffiti Removal) HOTLINE: (260) 449-GRIP
  Youth who are court-ordered to complete community services hours provide the labor for graffiti removal.  
• Urban Enterprise Zone Beautification - UEZB directed by a Purdue University Master Gardner, this program is designed to promote community pride through beautification of neighborhoods.  It is a product of youth and adult cooperation.  Participants are referred from the Allen County Superior Court Family Relations Division.

Youth Service Bureau Director