Karl Matzinger,
Acting Assistant Director
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The Youth Services Division offers a variety of programs and services that provide opportunities for youth, ages 5
to 24, to “jump start" their future. These programs assist youth with developing plans for success through employment
and education, skills training, student internships, construction-based training, work experience, life skills
workshops, peers-helping-peers, mentoring, parenting techniques, counseling and support services.
For more information, call 602-534-6806.
Youth Support Programs
 First Offender
Program
A collaboration with Maricopa County Juvenile Court Center and the city’s Human Services and Parks and Recreation
departments. The program offers an alternative for youth ages 6 to 17 who have committed their first status or
misdemeanor offense. Both parent and juvenile must volunteer to participate in this program. The intent is to offer
juveniles and parents information to help develop communication and improve self-confidence.
Safe School
Program - Lo siguiente también es provisto en español.
School-based caseworkers
work in collaboration with Maricopa County Juvenile Probation officers and city of Phoenix Police school resource
officers to provide services to students and school personnel. Prevention and intervention services include
short-term counseling, case management, referrals, law-related education and crisis intervention.
School-Based
Program
This program is for students whose problems are negatively affecting their ability to learn or put them at risk of
dropping out of school. Caseworkers provide students with intervention strategies, also can link students and their
families with short-term counseling, skill-building education, assessments and referrals, and case management
services.
Youth Employment Programs
Student Work Study
Program
Junior and senior high school students with an interest in city government and/or public sector employment can apply
for an internship through this program. Students work at least 10 hours a week and must continue to stay in school
and maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average, based on a four-point grading system. Students are referred and
selected from high school districts in Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale.
Summer Youth
Work Experience Program
This program provides employment opportunities to youth during the summer months. Applications are available during
the spring at city of Phoenix Human Services and Parks and Recreation departments locations, as well as area schools.
Each year, more than five times the number of youth apply for positions than the program has available.
Youthbuild
Youthbuild Phoenix is a full-time, yearlong construction and education training program that targets high school
dropouts and unemployed youth. Enrollees are trained in construction skills by learning to build or rehabilitate
housing for low-income or homeless families. In addition, the youth are provided with GED preparation classes,
along with leadership development training.
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