Department of Human Services

Mission
To provide programs and services for Hawaii’s youth including the provision of balanced and comprehensive services for at-risk youth, to prevent delinquency, reduce recidivism, and maximize opportunities for youth to become productive, responsible citizens through community based and family-focused treatment interventions.

About the Office of Youth Services
The Office of Youth Services (OYS) provides and coordinates a continuum of services and programs for youth-at-risk to prevent delinquency and reduce the incidence of recidivism. OYS also strives to provide a clear sense of responsibility and accountability for all youth services in Hawai‘i.  OYS support programs and resources are listed below.

Juvenile Justice in Hawai‘i
To prevent delinquency and reduce the incidence of recidivism for youth-at-risk, the Hawai‘i State Legislature established the Office of Youth Services (OYS) in 1989 to provide and coordinate a continuum of services and programs in every county. The OYS is responsible for the administration of the federal juvenile justice and delinquency prevention act, reauthorized in 2002. Although a core responsibility of the OYS is to manage and operate the State’s only Hawai‘i Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), the agency also provides and supports “front end” prevention, diversion, and intervention services.

Hawai‘i Youth Correctional Facility
The HYCF is a 30-bed facility where the primary purpose is to provide care and custody of at-risk youth committed to the State by the Family Courts. As a safe and secure setting, the HYCF provides a variety of facility-based counseling, treatment, and educational services to aid in the redirection and rehabilitation of each youth ward. The programs also are intended to provide opportunities for positive behavioral changes.

Hawai‘i Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council
The JJSAC advises government and local communities on effective service provisions and policies that improve the juvenile justice system and advocate for delinquency prevention.

Hawai‘i State Youth Commission
The Hawai‘i State Youth Commission (HiYC) was established to – “Advise the governor and legislature on the effects of legislative policies, needs, assessments, priorities, programs, and budgets concerning the youth of the State.”

Resource Links
Reports and Documents

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Hawai‘i Youth Services (HYS) Directory
This online directory is provided as a service of the State of Hawai‘i Office of Youth Services to provide easy access to information about youth programs in Hawaii.  The searchable database contains listings of government, private, and nonprofit organizations that offer services or activities for youth in Hawaii.

Department of Human Services Child Welfare Services Branch
This site provides access to DHS programs and services that support Hawai‘i’s vulnerable youth

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system so that it protects public safety, holds offenders accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the needs of juveniles and their families.