pdf version - the Youth Advocacy Division

Once my client is committed to DYS, what actually happens Should I be assisting my client in this area Will I
get paid
Once your client is committed to DYS, there is a 30-45 day assessment period. During this time, a program
clinician or a DYS caseworker writes a case history about your client. If you have information that will assist your
client, it is helpful to share this.
At the end of the assessment period, a staffing is held. A staffing is a meeting in which a DYS program clinician, a
DYS caseworker and manager, your client and their family, and any other interested parties make a decision as
to where your client will be placed and for how long. This is a very important meeting and you can assist your
client by attending the staffing and advocating on his behalf. It is possible that you will have more knowledge
about your client than anyone other professional at the table. You may also know facts about the client's case
that may be helpful to explain since they may not be clear in the police reports. You should also prepare your
client to talk about the facts of the case on which he or she was committed. Your client will be asked questions
and will be expected to speak. At the end of the meeting, a recommendation will be made regarding the place
and amount of time your client will do his treatment. The recommendation must be approved by the DYS
Regional Area Review Team, which makes the final classification decision and can approve or disapprove of any
recommended deviations from the DYS grid.
If you are have been appointed on the case and are billing CPCS for your services, you can bill for all postdispositional
advocacy you provide to your client through the DYS staffing process.
To find out the name of the caseworker assigned to your client, contact the appropriate region of DYS at the
telephone numbers below:
Metro - (617) 727-2995
Central - (508) 792-7611
Southeastern - (508) 821-2717 x817
Western - (413) 784-1193
Can a juvenile's family be evicted from public housing for crimes the juvenile has been charged with
Both State and Federal law permit eviction of the family from public housing, based upon allegations of criminal
conduct by anyone in the family. A conviction is not necessary.
Will a delinquency or youthful offender conviction affect my clients' ability to get a driver's permit or license
Yes. Many convictions will affect one's ability to get or keep a license. Most, if not all, convictions or delinquency
findings for drug offenses will result in a license suspension. A license may also be suspended for motor vehicle
offenses or offenses involving a car, e.g. larceny of a motor vehicle, operating to endanger, etc. The duration of
the suspension depends upon the crime. You should consult M.G.L.c.90 §22 and inform your client of any
consequences resulting from a conviction before he or she decides how to resolve the case. You should always