November 13, 2012: YAP today launched its Policy & Advocacy Center to promote policies and influence change that create or invest greater resources in families and communities in order to reduce reliance on institutionalization. YAP works toward its mission of deinstitutionalization in three ways: Through direct service provision; by supporting adults, youth and families to become self-advocates, and through influencing public policy informed by our direct services and the voices of the people we serve. The Policy & Advocacy Center formalizes the latter two approaches. Tonight's launch will feature presentations by Advisory Board member Jason Ziedenberg about deincarceration of youth and author Bill Ecenbarger about his new book, Kids for Cash, chronicling the Luzerne County Juvenile court scandal. For more information, click here. To download the press release, click here.