Barbara Allen-Hagen Award
PbS believes in recognizing and honoring facilities that have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the lives of youths in custody.
The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities for young offenders has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given annually to one correction, detention/assessment and community residential program that best exemplifies PbS’ commitment to treating all youths in custody as one of our own and used the PbS improvement model to achieve positive outcomes for youths, staff and families.
Kids Got Talent Contest
PbS understands the importance of recognizing youths, their talents and the system’s need to treat them like one of our own.
The PbS Kids Got Talent (KGT) Contest was established in 2015 to showcase the talents of youths in PbS facilities and programs. PbS invites all youths in participating correction, detention, assessment and community residential programs to submit an audio or video recording of their talents. A panel of expert and celebrity judges assess the contestants’ overall performance, presence and originality to select the winner. PbS brings the winner to the national award ceremony to perform live.
Reentry Award
PbS recognizes youths need many different supports and resources to successfully return to their homes and communities.
Youths who have been confined face many challenges when they leave residential placement, including difficulties finding housing and jobs, reenrolling in school and accessing vital services. To ease these challenges, PbS established the Reentry Award in 2016 to assist youths’ transition from confinement to life in the community. The award of up to $1,000 is given to youths who have demonstrated progress preparing for release and comprehensive aftercare planning by his/her case manager. The funds can be used for household items, linens, clothing for job interviews, counseling visits, transportation to work and fees to participate in clubs, sports or similar positive community activities.
PbS Scholarship Fund
PbS supports learning by providing tuition assistance to youths and staff who wish to further their education.
The PbS Scholarship Fund was established in 2016 to inspire, encourage and assist youths and staff pursuing post-secondary education. Two youths and two staff are selected to receive up to $2,000 each by the PbS Board of Directors based on the applicants’ essay explaining how he or she will “pay it forward” and use what they learn to better the lives of future generations.
PbS Employment Matching Awards
PbS believes stable and fulfilling employment serves as a bridge back to community and adult life when youths leave facility care.
The PbS Employment Matching Award was established in 2017 for youths who earn money while incarcerated. To promote work opportunities and experiences while youths are in custody, the PbS Employment Matching Award will match up to $1,000 of what selected youths earn over a portion of the summer. The winners will receive the funds upon release.