Volunteers
Community Programs - Court Service Units
Court Service Units provide a variety of volunteer experiences for interested citizens. Some court service units have affiliated volunteer organizations that are freestanding 501(c)(3) Non Profit Corporations; other units operate their volunteer programs directly out of the court service unit. A variety of opportunities for interested citizens enables them to work directly with youth or to provide clerical or other support services to the Court and the court service unit. Volunteer experiences include undergraduate and graduate internships, court aides, and mentors. Many volunteer programs operate nationally recognized programs such as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Street Law, and Life Skills programs. Other opportunities range from Youth Conservation programs to Juvenile Conferencing committees.Some volunteer programs operate clothing services and provide limited emergency assistance to youth under court supervision. Interested parties should call the court service unit where they wish to volunteer. (Please refer to the agency directory for phone numbers.)
Volunteer programs are an integral component of a juvenile’s rehabilitation both in the community programs implemented by the court service units and during incarceration in the juvenile correctional centers. Volunteers are needed and welcomed.
Requirements:
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Be at least 18 or 17 if students or interns arranged through school or come as members of regular or occasional service groups.
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Successfully complete a DJJ Background Investigation if they participate more than twice in a calendar year unless the volunteer is part of a group.
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Provide evidence of license or certification if performing professional services that require such.
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No convictions of a sexual offense or an offense committed against a child if the volunteer provides direct services to juveniles or families.
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Volunteers with a criminal background may serve only in supervised group activities or indirect services that do not involve access to confidential records.
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Successfully complete a child protective services check.
Institutional Programs – Juvenile Correctional Centers
At the correctional centers, volunteer service directors assist in planning and implementing volunteer activities.
Contact for Specific Information
Please go to the web page for the specific Court Service Unit or Juvenile Correctional Center where you are interested in volunteering. The contact information for the Volunteer Program at that location will be on the page or a link to a specific Volunteer page.