The mission of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) is to improve public safety and give court-involved youth the opportunity to become more productive citizens by building on the strengths of youth and their families in the least restrictive, most home-like environment, consistent with public safety.

Summary of Services
The DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services is the local juvenile justice agency responsible for providing safe and stable secure residential and community-based programs to court-involved youth. Programming targeting committed youth is designed to expand opportunities to youth so that they can become more productive citizens and reduce delinquent behavior. In addition, DYRS provides secure detention and effective detention alternative programs to detained youth who are placed under custody of the D.C. Superior Court’s Division of Social Services. DYRS’ key long-term public safety strategy is to help court-involved youth develop the skills and relationships they need to succeed as adults.