[§352D-2]  Policy for youth.  A policy
for youth is established for the State as follows:



(1)  It shall be the policy of this State to
concentrate on the prevention of delinquency as an important strategy which can
be planned and implemented on behalf of youth and their families.  The State
shall encourage community involvement in the provision of services for youth
including, as an integral part, local government, public and private voluntary
groups, public and private nonprofit groups, and private-for-profit groups in
order to encourage and provide innovative strategies for these services.  To
maximize resources and services to youth in need of services, agencies shall
develop standards of care, methods to coordinate services, and evaluate and
monitor these activities.  For youth with special needs, the furtherance of
this policy requires all agencies to recognize that their jurisdiction in
meeting these youths' needs are not mutually exclusive and that they will work
jointly under the coordination of the office of youth services;



(2)  When youth at risk or their families request
help, state and local government resources shall be utilized to complement
community efforts to help meet the needs of youth by aiding in the prevention
and resolution of their problems.  The State shall direct its efforts first to
strengthen and encourage family life as the most appropriate environment for
the care and nurturing of youth.  To this end, the State shall assist and
encourage families to utilize all available resources.  For youth in need of
services, the State shall secure those services as are needed to serve the
emotional, mental, and physical welfare of youth and the best interests of the
community, preferably in the youth's home or in the least restrictive environment
possible.  When youths must be placed in care away from their homes, the State
shall ensure that they are protected against any harmful effects resulting from
the temporary or permanent inability of parents to provide care and protection
for their youth; and



(3)  This policy for youth shall be implemented
through the cooperative efforts of state and county legislative, judicial, and
executive branches, as well as other public and private resources.  Where
resources are limited, services shall be targeted to those youth in greatest
need. [L 1989, c 375, pt of §1]