Youth Rights Agency
OF WNY
Advocacy
YRA will provide information about youths' rights to access medical services, social services, and employment. When youths' rights have been denied, YRA will advocate for both individual youth and a systemic change.
Restorative Justice & Mediation
YRA staff have been trained extensively on alternative dispute resolution methods. These tools can provide unique programming that is less punative and focuses on restoring relationships & increasing the level of understanding for everyone involved.
School Engagement
WNY schools have a wide range of school suspension rates and attendance rates.
YRA will provide interventions that assess the root cause of absenteeism & behavior leading to suspensions. YRA hopes to become a referral source before educational neglect occurs and/ or a PINS referral. YRA will continue to explore the potential for Attendance Courts in local schools, facilitated by YRA.
Additionally, YRA will provide legal representation for students who have been or are at risk of being suspended. YRA is passionate about ending the school-to-prison pipeline
Often parents & students are unaware of their rights for additional supports for students who qualify for special education services. These services play an important role in ensuring students can engage in class work and school activities. YRA will partner with local agencies to work towards the goal of educating families about their rights and providing advocacy at 504 & IEP meetings.
Bullying
NYS now requires schools to formally address bullying. YRA can provide schools with guidance on DASA as a consultant to assist with development of tools to meet requirements. YRA can also directly provide personnel training and innovative interventions, including restorative justice. We hope to partner with several school districts to implement programming by Fall 2015.
Dating Violence
YRA provides educational presentations & awareness campaigns and individualized intervention including legal advocacy, safety planning & support groups.
We are excited to offer nationally recognized training to coaches of sports teams starting this summer. We continue to build partnerships with local domestic violence agencies, courts, and schools to implement and expand on this programming.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
CURRENTPROJECTS
YOU can help make these programs a reality by donating TODAY!
