,
What is Young Adult Court?
A first of its kind nationwide, Young Adult Court (YAC) is an innovative court diversion program led by Felton Institute and the San Francisco Superior Court. YAC is a compassionate alternative to traditional criminal proceedings for eligible young adults, ages 18-25.
YAC strives to align opportunities for accountability and transformation with the unique needs of young adults. Research shows that young adults’ brains are in a fundamentally different stage compared to their child or adult counterparts. While cerebral development is not yet complete, young adults navigate adult-like challenges such as housing, employment, and harsh criminal sentencing.
In an effort to build a stronger support system for young adults in San Francisco, Felton Institute provides trauma-informed case management for clients facing misdemeanor crimes. YAC also provides support for young adults challenged by substance abuse disorders and deemed a high-risk to reoffend in the community. To create a holistic system of care, participating young adults are engaged with YAC for at least one year and then receive ongoing support for employment, housing, and education.
YAC relies on qualified community partners to provide linkages, resources, and references for the participating clients – Instrumental community partners include:
- Office of the District Attorney
- Office of the Public Defender
- San Francisco Department of Public Health
- Adult Probation Department
- Department of Children, Youth and their Families
- San Francisco Police Department
To learn more about YAC and its importance in the community, visit The Superior Court of San Francisco’s website.
If you are a YAC graduate, consider applying for the YAC Alumni/Mentorship Program.
To get more information on participating in the program, contact yac@felton.org or YAC Program Manager, Celina M. Hennessey, directly at chennessey@felton.org.
Contact Information
Hours: M-F, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Program Email: yac@felton.org
Celina M. Hennessey, LMFT
YAC Program Manager
Clinical Supervisor
Cell (Work): 415-216-6140
Email: chennessey@felton.org