Suffolk County's D.A.'s Office: Children's Advocacy Center

Juvenile Service Providers Team

Phone (617) 227-7849
Fax (617) 227-4731

24 New Chardon Street
Suite I-440
Boston, MA 02114

A program of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office
Daniel F. Conley, District Attorney

A message from District Attorney Daniel F. Conley

"Every day, our young people are faced with making difficult decisions - at school and at home, with their peers and with their families. By providing supportive services through programs like JSPT, we can help our children make positive choices and lead healthy lives, which is the best way to keep our neighborhoods safe."

What is JSPT?

The Juvenile Service Providers Team (JSPT) is a team of social workers who work with children and families in Suffolk County. The mission of JSPT is to provide support by coordinating services for youth who are struggling with issues related to school, home or accessing community resources. All services are voluntary.

How can JSPT help?

Service coordinators help with:
After school activities
Job training and placement
Tutoring
Counseling
Alternative school applications
GLBT services
Identifying future goals
Summer activities
Substance use
Violence prevention

What are JSPT’s fees?

None. JSPT is grant-funded by the Executive Office of Public Safety and the Suffolk County DA’s office. All services are provided for free.

What is JSPT’s philosophy?

Service Coordinators utilize a strength-based model, working with the youth and family to empower themselves toward their own vision of success.

Who is eligible for JSPT?

Youth ages 11 and up
Youth with or without CHINS
Youth not currently involved with DYS
Youth with no current delinquency or criminal charges

Who can make a referral to JSPT?

Members of Community Based Juvenile Justice Roundtables
Student Support Coordinators
Probation Officers
Youth service providers
Others, on a case-by-case basis

How do I make a referral?

Call JSPT at (617) 227-7849 and speak to a service coordinator. If you leave a message, your call will be returned within 24 hours.

What happens after a referral is made?

Upon receiving a referral, a Service Coordinator contacts the family, introduces the program, and discusses with the guardian of the child his or her interest in JSPT services. If the guardian expresses interest, a home visit is scheduled, and service needs are identified at that time. Service Coordinators conduct an assessment, create a comprehensive service plan which will best meet the needs of the youth, develop individual working relationships with family members, and facilitate referrals to appropriate agencies.

Where is JSPT?

The office is located in the Boston Juvenile Court building. However, clients are typically met at their homes, schools, or other neighborhood setting. Clients are not expected to travel to the office for meetings.

Does JSPT work with schools?

Yes. Service Coordinators are available to facilitate student peer group discussions covering a range of topics (problem solving; violence prevention; boy’s issues; girl’s issues; self-esteem). Groups run for 8 to 10 weeks. Call JSPT at (617) 227-7849 to discuss your school’s interest and needs.

Community Based Juvenile Justice

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Community Based Juvenile Justice Program (CBJJ) was established in 1993, in response to the state legislature passing M.G.L. Chapter 12, section 32. CBJJ has as its mission, in part, to “deter violent, criminal, and delinquent conduct,” and develop “violence prevention/ intervention programs, protocol, and curricula.”

District Attorney Daniel F. Conley identifies CBJJ’s priorities:

To reduce juvenile crime
To increase school and community safety
To increase communication and collaboration between community providers
To identify and develop innovative intervention strategies for juveniles who are at risk for developing delinquent behavior.

The program does this by convening roundtable meetings made up of school personnel, DSS, DYS, probation, police, and the DA’s office. The goal of the program in Suffolk County is to intervene in the lives of at-risk youth as soon as they are identified.

If your middle or high school is interested in starting a CBJJ roundtable, please contact Amy Cobb at (617) 619-4225.