UM Youth Aid Panel

The Upper Merion Area High School Youth Aid Panel (YAP) program is a restorative justice alternative to the traditional discipline program for students involved in suspension-level infractions. The team of YAP Case Managers and panelists is composed of trained district staff members who work collaboratively with students and their families to create resolutions to promote accountability, encourage reflection, and examine the root causes of behaviors and their impacts upon the student and upon the school community.

This four-to-five-week program includes brief, weekly mentor check-ins that foster empathy, encourage personal responsibility, and aim to prevent future infractions by teaching valuable life lessons and providing a second chance within the school community. The ultimate goal is to promote positive behavior and a constructive path forward for the student while preserving the continuity of their educational experience.