Salt Lake County has officially renamed its Juvenile Receiving Center to the Youth Hub, a 24/7 facility in South Salt Lake designed to provide free crisis counseling, referrals to community agencies, and short-term placement for youth. The facility serves individuals between the ages of 8 and 17, though children under age 10 are not permitted for overnight stays.
Crisis Services and Accessing Care
The Youth Hub operates as a central component of Salt Lake County Youth Services, an organization that has provided safety, shelter, and support to at-risk and underserved families in the county for five decades. According to Salt Lake County, these comprehensive services are delivered to families without any associated costs.
Access to the Youth Hub does not require an appointment. Youth may arrive at the facility on their own, or parents may bring them in for individual or family crisis counseling. The center also serves as a point of entry for law enforcement officers who bring in youth who have committed status offenses or delinquent acts that do not meet specific detention admission guidelines.
Statewide Receiving Network
The facility manages cases involving various behavioral and social challenges, including running away from home, truancy, substance abuse, curfew violations, or situations where a youth is acting beyond the control of their parents.
While the Youth Hub provides a specific localized service in South Salt Lake, it operates within a broader state-wide network of Juvenile Receiving Centers (JRCs). According to the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services, there are currently 11 such centers located across the state. These centers work in partnership with the Division of Child and Family Services, law enforcement, the Juvenile Court, and local communities to manage youth who do not meet the criteria for secure detention.
Operational Goals and Referrals
The operational model for these receiving centers focuses on rapid assessment and family reunification. As outlined by the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services, the goal is for law enforcement officers to return to duty within 20 minutes of admitting a youth. Upon arrival, center workers immediately attempt to contact parents or guardians to evaluate the youth's immediate needs for security and care.
Staff members are tasked with interviewing and assessing the youth, discussing problem areas with guardians, and reviewing various intervention options. This process often results in referrals to community resources, such as parenting classes and other essential youth services.
Expansion and Admission Criteria
The state-wide network is currently undergoing expansion, with new Juvenile Receiving Center locations planned for Davis County and Tooele. These centers specifically target populations including youths aged 10 to 17 who are charged with delinquent offenses, are considered ungovernable, or are in-state runaways.
However, certain exclusionary criteria apply to admission at these centers. Staff may not admit youth experiencing active psychosis, those who are actively suicidal, individuals who are assaultive toward peers, those sexually acting out, or anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a degree that prevents them from responding coherently.
Countywide Youth Support
Salt Lake County Youth Services maintains its main office in South Salt Lake, supplemented by an additional office located in West Jordan. The organization also administers various programs throughout the community to address the needs of at-risk populations.
In addition to the Youth Hub's primary functions, the county provides access to other specialized programming, including a Homeless Youth Walk-In Program, prevention group classes, and specific shelter care, though access to certain shelter care is limited to sworn officers and the Division of Child and Family Services.
Contact Information
The Salt Lake County Division of Youth Services continues to manage its presence through various community channels. The organization's primary office is located at 177 W Price Ave in Salt Lake City.
