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Voices for Children had the opportunity to sit with David Irizarry, who in January of 2022 became the Superintendent of Juvenile Justice in Delaware County, to learn about his experience, philosophy, and vison for juvenile justice in our community.
David has significant experience working with youth at risk of experiencing and engaging in violence in Philadelphia. His past work includes direct services with youth experiencing homelessness while at The Covenant House, a shelter for unaccompanied youth, and macro/systems work as the Assistant Managing Director of Philadelphia’s Youth Violence Reduction Partnership (YVRP) for the Nutter administration, and as Deputy Director of the Office of Violence Prevention created by the Kenny administration.
This past work has influenced David’s vision regarding both policy and programming for Juvenile Justice services. David emphasized that work in Delaware County will be based on the values of prevention, intervention, exploring the root causes of serious youth related offenses/delinquency as influenced by unmet basic needs, data, and community based solutions, because “the people closest to the problem, are also closest to the solution.”
David’s experience at in local government as the Supervisor of Rehabilitation and Intervention means he brings a fresh perspective to the challenges of detention, and centers his attention on prevention. He stressed that he is dedicated to reducing the need for detention by expanding violence prevention strategies that secure community safety. He wants to ensure that the young people who do require placement in a detention center can get their needs met appropriately, holistically and locally in Delaware County.
He is working to design a site that is much more than a detention center: a site that would provide holistic, comprehensive services to the young people housed there and their families.
The anticipated bed count at the proposed detention site is 24. Per David, while there, young people would get access to emotional health skills and supports, job training and education opportunities, a fitness center, and access to the outdoors in a secure community garden. This rehabilitation focused programming is based on best practices around the country, and are intended to support the emotional and physical health of young people in care.
The site would host community based service providers to offer pre/post discharged youth with prevention and reentry supports like peer support, meditation, Mentorship, outreach and follow up. A warm handoff from detention services to community services at a one stop spot is the crux of David’s vision.
An RFP passed County Council on 10/18 for work to be done in partnership with the center for Children’s Law and Policy (CCLP). Other local organizations will have the opportunity to propose projects providing follow up care and outreach. The Justice Department Board of Managers will be revisiting this at future public meetings, and welcome you to schedule to present an idea.
Another opportunity for organizations to get involved is leading a project to survey 500+ young people in Delaware County who have been involved with Juvenile Justice to inform this work because, “anything built for young people, without young people will fail. We want young people at the table.”
The provider community and the community at large will be offered opportunities to offer insight and programming suggestions. David suggested reaching out to him directly with ideas, suggestions, and concerns. He can be reached at [email protected]
Voices for Children will stay informed on the progress of this work and provide updates to our coalition members.
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