Our Approach
Tidewater Youth Services Commission
Youth and families facing enormous challenges in life need the help of an agency with experience, competence, integrity, and compassion to assist them on their journey. For over 40 years, the Tidewater Youth Services Commission has provided leadership and vision in delivering effective, evidence-based services.
The Tidewater Youth Services Commission was formed in 1977 under a charter agreement signed by the city managers and county administrators of seven Hampton Roads localities (Chesapeake, Franklin, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach and the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton). It was created as a separate unit of local government to operate a system of group homes and programs providing services to youth who are at-risk or already court-involved in our region.
Our Operating Principles
While we are working to accomplish our mission, we are guided by the following principles:
- Everyone has the capacity to change, but the process can be complex. We must always remain flexible and open to alternative approaches.
- We are spending the public’s money and must always be accountable for how these funds are spent.
- Our clients are our reason for existence. They have an absolute right to our best efforts and the highest ethical standards.
- We are dedicated to upholding the principles of non-discrimination. Our staff should be culturally diverse and culturally competent.
- Our agency and staff should always model the kind of behavior we are promoting for our clients.
- Treatment within in the context of the family system is essential to progress and self-sufficiency.
- If a youth cannot be reintegrated into his or her family, our goal is to find an alternate living setting or prepare them for independent living.
- We are committed to being a learning organization that utilizes evidence-based practices, evaluates its outcomes, is open to new ideas, and works to develop the skills of its staff members.