Department of Youth Services (DYS)

The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services is a multi-faceted agency that serves youth committed as juvenile delinquents or youthful offenders and detained youth awaiting judicial action.

Our mission is to enhance community safety by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care and custody. We achieve our mission by investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families and communities in strategies that support positive youth development.

All DYS programs address the unique educational, psychological and health needs of youth in our care and custody across a continuum of supervision and services.

Dividing the state geographically into five regions, DYS operates (as of September 2018) 48 residential programs ranging in security levels and 22 district offices strategically located in each region to provide comprehensive supervision and support to DYS committed and detained youth. We strive to serve youth as close as possible to their home communities and families.

Office of Child Advocates We All Need Help Sometimes Campaign

Important Notices:

DYS Protocol for Youth in Residential Settings Attending and Returning from Court Appearances during COVID-19 7-17-20

DYS Screening Questionnaire for COVID-19 Updated 5-20-20

DYS Guidance on Discontinuing Home Isolation

Modifications to Visitation Guidance and Passes Protocols during COVID-19

Sample Contact Flyer for Visiting Family Member

Visit Protocol for Family Members COVID-19

Visitor Information Sheet for Families During COVID-19

DYS Advisory Cessation of Routine Quarantine

DYS Protocol Covid-19 Exposure Risk Assessment

DYS Guidance on Discontinuing Home Isolation Revised

DYS COVID-19 Screening Protocol for DYS Facilities

DYS COVID-19 Protocol for Quarantining New Intakes

DYS COVID-19 Protocol for Quarantining Close Contacts

DYS Interim Advisory Regarding Bail Processing

DYS Emergency Guidance Regarding Virtual Teaching via Video

DYS Emergency Guidance on Telemedicine

DYS Youth Wellness Check-in During COVID-19

DYS Guidance on Mask Use and Regarding Use

DYS Updated Residential and Congregate Care Guidance

DYS COVID-19 Isolation Protocol Revised

DYS Quarantining Close Contacts of COVID-19

Quarantining DYS New Intakes

Emergency Guidance re Virtual Court Hearings

DYS Emergency Guidance regarding Virtual Family Visits

DYS COVID-19 Visitor Screening

Emergency Guidance regarding Attorney Access to Clients

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Interim Guidance

Newsletters:

Check out out July 2020 DYS Newsletter

Archived DYS Newsletters