The purpose of all Children and Youth Services is to provide child welfare services designed to protect children from abuse, neglect, and enable children to remain safely in their homes. It provides services to help families overcome problems that result in dependency, neglect, and delinquency, and to enhance the family’s capacity to provide for their children’s educational, physical, and behavioral health needs.
Services are available to children from birth to 18 years of age. Children and Youth Services promote and protect the health and welfare of children with the focus of keeping families together through protective services. When placement does occur, the goal is to reconnect and reunify the child with the family in as an effective and timely way possible, while ensuring the safety of the child.
In each separate program, a Catholic Social Services Caseworker will meet with family members in the home to assist the family in working through problems. The frequency of home visits will be decided by the parents and the Caseworker.
The Catholic Social Services agency providing Children and Youth Services is located at 5 Pethick Street, Suites 3 & 4, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18702 and the telephone number for the office is (570) 824-5766.
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program
A practical, evidence-based approach that helps caregivers build strong relationships, encourage positive behavior, and manage parenting challenges with confidence. Tailored support empowers families to thrive through calm, consistent, and effective parenting.
Parents as Teachers (PAT)
A home-visiting program supporting families from pregnancy through kindergarten. PAT strengthens parent-child bonds, promotes early development, and connects families with resources—empowering parents as their child’s first and most influential teacher.
Effective Black Parenting Program™ (EBPP)
The first national parenting program designed for African American families, EBPP blends cultural pride with proven parenting strategies. It promotes Black identity, teaches non-violent discipline, and prepares children to succeed while navigating societal challenges.
Healthy Families (HFA)
The mission of Healthy Families America is to promote child well-being and prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children through intensive home visit. Healthy Families (HFA) is a national home visitation program that provides expectant and new parents the education and support they need from pregnancy and through the first 5 years of their child’s life.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
Trust-Based Relational Intervention is an attachment-based, trauma-informed approach for caregivers to help children who have experienced adversity. It focuses on building trust through three principles: Empowering (addressing physical needs), Connecting (meeting attachment needs), and Correcting (disarming fear-based behaviors). TBRI provides practical tools to help caregivers see the “whole child” in their care and is used globally in various settings like homes, schools, and residential facilities.
Supervised Visitation
Supervised visitation allows parents to visit with their children who are currently placed in foster care. Visits are typically held in a safe, structured environment. The goal is to support family reunification when possible while ensuring the child’s safety. These visits are supervised to ensure the safety and well-being of the children while maintaining family connections.
Truancy Management
The Truancy Management program provides targeted support to school-age children and their families who are struggling with consistent school attendance. Referrals are accepted from Children and Youth Services, schools and other agencies. The program works collaboratively to address barriers such as transportation, housing instability or behavioral challenges, that impact school participation. The program offers individualized guidance, connects families to community resources and promotes long-term academic success through a family-centered approach.
Visiting Coaching
Visiting Coaching Is a supportive program designed to help families working toward reunification. Families are referred by Luzerne County Children and Youth Services; families engage in guided visits that focus on building positive parent-child interactions. Coaches provide real-time feedback and encouragement, helping parents develop nurturing skills and strengthen their connection with their children. These visits take place in a safe, structured environment, with the ultimate goal of empowering families and promoting lasting reunification.
Check and Connect
Check and Connect is a special support program for families working with Children and Youth Services. If your child has had ongoing issues with school attendance – even after other help has been tried – this program offers extra support to help get things back on track. Our team works closely with you to understand what’s making school hard to attend, whether it’s transportation, behavior or other challenges. Together, we’ll build a plan that supports your child’s success in school and helps your family move forward.