The Youth Aid Panel is made up of concerned, caring citizens of various ages and professions, as well as socioeconomic and ethnic groups. Applicants are carefully and impartially selected to represent the community at large. Trained and certified panel members serve for one year terms and may serve longer with appropriate performance and ongoing in-service training.

Panel members are not paid for their services. Panel members generally meet once a month for a 3-4 hour hearing session with referred youth.

Training Topics
Panel members receive 24-30 hours of mandatory training on topics, including:

• Communications and reflective listening skills
• Dispositional alternatives available for offender referral
• Impact of addictions and abuse on family systems
• Interview techniques and counseling
• Lancaster County Juvenile Court System
• The role of police and their interaction with youth
• Values clarification