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2026 Office of Human Services - Division of Children's Services Countywide Community Survey

You are invited to participate in the Middlesex County Planning Process for Youth Services

 YOUR OPINION COUNTS!

We are interested in your perspective regarding Needs, Gaps and Trends in youth-related services.
Let us know what you think about  programs and services for Middlesex County youth!
1.Choose the category that best describes your affiliation.(Required.)
2.Select which city, township, or borough are you affiliated with.(Required.)
3.Based on your answer in question 2, select one of the following(Required.)
Accessing Services for Youth
4.Are you aware of the Children's System of Care(Required.)
5.Do you know how to access services through the Children's System of Care?(Required.)
6.Are you aware of how to obtain services for a youth involved with the Youth Justice system?(Required.)
7.If you have accessed or know someone who has accessed services for a youth involved with the youth justice system, what types of services have been helpful?(Required.)
8.You are always able to access necessary services for youth within the youth's local community.(Required.)
Always
Usually
Neutral
Rarely
Never
N/A
9.You are always able to access necessary services for youth within Middlesex County?(Required.)
Always
Usually
Neutral
Rarely
Never
N/A
10.What youth-related challenges have you dealt with in the past 12 months?(Required.)
Identification of Services by Category
Delinquency Prevention

Delinquency prevention includes strategies, programs and services designed to increase the likelihood that youth remain positively engaged in their schools, families, and communities and avoid initial involvement with the youth justice system. The goal of delinquency prevention is to strengthen protective factors, reduce barriers to success, and support youth in making healthy choices that lead to positive development.

Examples of services that could be a part of Delinquency Prevention programming:
Homework assistance, mentoring services, peer pressure counseling, conflict resolution, social media awareness, substance use prevention, violence prevention, collegiate/employment preparedness etc.
11.What type(s) of programming/service(s) do you think work well for preventing and reducing the risk of youth delinquent behavior?

*DO NOT list the name of any particular agency or program.*(Required.)
Diversion

Diversion is an approach that redirects youth from being arrested, from formal youth justice system prosecution, or from formal court processing and instead requires that diversion programming provide proportionate accountability. Youth may be connected to community-based programs to address needs that may arise. Given the purpose and potential of diversion, programs developed through the comprehensive planning process should intentionally focus on positive youth development and may include integrating restorative practices that promote accountability, repair harm, and support healing for both the youth and those impacted.

Examples of services that could be a part of Diversion programming:
Education of the legal system and law enforcement, self-esteem building, effective methods of communication, decision-making skills, mentoring, substance use education, violence prevention education, family engagement etc.
12.What type(s) of programming/service(s) do you think work well with diverting youth from the youth justice system?

*DO NOT list the name of any particular agency or program.*(Required.)
Detention Alternatives

Detention alternative programs serve as crucial community-based supervision programming options for pre-adjudicated youth. These programs provide various levels of community-based supervision and proactive engagement to pre-adjudicated youth in lieu of secure detention placement or to safely reduce length of stay in secure detention.

Examples of services that could be a part of Detention Alternative programming:
Intensive case management, mentoring, anger management, gang prevention, family support and engagement, electronic monitoring, day and evening reporting, decision-making, substance use treatment, life skills education etc.
13.What type(s) of short-term (30-60 days) programming/service(s) do you think work well in providing detention alternatives for youth?

*DO NOT list the name of any particular agency or program.*(Required.)
Disposition

The disposition of a delinquency case is the final outcome or decision that describes how the case was resolved. After a young person is adjudicated delinquent, the court may order sanctions, supervision, and services that have a rehabilitative goal. Disposition programs may be grounded in rehabilitation, restorative principles (accountability, repairing harm, and strengthening relationships), and positive youth development to support a meaningful, constructive experience for young people. This approach aims to promote positive youth outcomes and successful futures.

Examples of services that could be a part of Disposition programming:
Mentoring, intensive supervision, day and evening reporting centers, skill building, community service activities, peer relations, family engagement and parenting, vocational skills/employment, interpersonal skills, substance use treatment etc.
14.What type(s) of programming/service(s) do youth think work well for youth as community-based dispositions?

*DO NOT list the name of any particular agency or program.*(Required.)
Re-Entry

In the youth justice system, “reentry” refers to the period of community-based supervision and services that begins after a youth is released from a secure facility, residential program, or other structured placement. Reentry is a critical transitional phase during which young people require additional support to successfully reintegrate into their homes and communities.

Examples of services that could be a part of Re-Entry programming:
Supportive employment opportunities, mentoring, crisis intervention services, educational support/tutoring, educational advocacy, money management, parenting skills training, parent support services, substance use services etc.
15.What type(s) of programming/service(s) do you think work well to reintegrate youth back into their homes and community when returning from a secure facility, residential program, or other structured placement?

*DO NOT list the name of any particular agency or program.*(Required.)
Thank you for participating in the Middlesex County planning process for youth services.
Your participation is invaluable, and we are grateful for your assistance.



To learn more about:
The Council for Children’s Services & Planning Committee visit:
Children's Services | Middlesex County NJ
Middlesex County Office of Human Service: 732-745-4186


Available Resources Links