Juvenile Diversion Academic Internship

Posted by Office of the District Attorney Juvenile Division on October 12, 2021

Juvenile Diversion is an opportunity to reroute a young person’s case from the traditional juvenile justice system, to community-based programming. It is an opportunity for youth to avoid a juvenile record and the collateral consequences of juvenile justice system involvement.

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (“PDAO”) Juvenile Diversion Academic Internship is designed for undergraduates of all majors. The PDAO is seeking applicants with an interest in juvenile justice, educational equity, and youth/family engagement. Prospective interns must be self-starters, and comfortable interacting with justice involved youth in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Interns will have the opportunity to provide service in the form of tutoring, research, client interviewing, resource sharing, clerical assignments, and diversion development.

Internship Duties and Responsibilities:

Weekly assignments may include the following:

• 1-on-1 tutoring in core academic subjects (math, science, writing) with justice-involved youth, ages 10-17.
• Direct client contact with youth and guardians at the Juvenile Justice Services Center.
• Designing and implementing education plans.
• Conducting research on available education resources in Philadelphia.
• Providing support as we attempt to bring diversion hubs (one-stop programming, tutoring, future planning, and resource hubs) to schools within the Philadelphia region.
• In person engagement. Youth/family academic engagement will take place in community sites in various areas of the city. Assignment locations will vary based on internship preference and youth need.

Qualifications:

• Students should have the emotional intelligence to navigate interactions with justice-involved youth and their guardians.
• Students should be proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Interviews will occur between the hours of 8:30am-12:00pm. Tutoring will occur during after school hours, between 2:30pm-6:30pm. The 10 hour a week commitment must occasionally overlap with those times.

Questions? Please feel free to email Jordan King, Director of Juvenile Diversion Programs, at Jordan.king@phila.gov.