School Based Youth Services Program
Department: School Based Youth Services Program
Park & Baird Blvd., Camden, NJ 08103
Office: 856-541-0253
Fax: 856-541-1989
Sharon Shields, MPH, Project Manager
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mission Statement
The mission of School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) of the city of Camden is to provide a variety of intervention services to adolescents. Both on- and off-site, services are developed between the school and community agencies. The youth programs maintain the linkage, coordinates treatment, and develops necessary services to address and treat the problems encountered by a-risk youth. Services are accessible and structured for the purpose of assisting youth in achieving positive physical and emotional health. Our mission is to enrich and enhance the lives of the youth of Camden City and thereby increase their likelihood of completing their education. Every student who comes into SBYSP shall be treated with the same dignity and consideration that each of us would wish for ourselves.
History
The New Jersey School-Based Youth Services Program was initiated by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) in 1987 to help young people navigate the adolescent years, finish their education, obtain skills leading to employment of continuing education, and graduate healthy and drug free. The SBYSP was the first statewide initiative in the country to integrate a range of services for adolescents in one location in or near schools. Sites are located in a variety of urban, rural, and suburban setting with a least one site in each of the 21 counties SBYSP sites design projects that not only address what is happening today, but can be customized to address emerging needs.
Description
Through different types of programs and social services, SBYSP operates in four high schools: (1) Camden High School, (2) Woodrow Wilson High School, (3) Creative Arts High School, and (4) Dr. Charles E. Brimm Medical Arts High School; five middle schools: (1) East Camden Middle School, (2) Cooper B. Hatch Middle School, (3) Morgan Village Middle School, (4) Pyne Poynt Middle School, and (5) Veterans Memorial Middle School; and one family school: Henry L. Bonsall School. "LINK" is the SBYSP at Camden High School. "Tiger's Liar" is SBYSP at Woodrow Wilson. At the other schools the SBYSP offices are not yet named but can be identified as SBYSP. The office of SBYSP Director Sharon Shields is operated out of the main building of Camden High School.
For a listing of SBYS programs and services offered throughout the district, please click here.