Programs & Visiting
VISITATION
Family visitation is a vital component of the rehabilitation process and is strongly encouraged by the Probation Department. Through this process youth are provided an opportunity to engage in conversations under the supervision of Staff. Once a youth arrives at Dorothy Kirby Center they will be requested to provide a list of relatives including mother, father, legal guardians and grandparents. During the orientation process each youth is informed of the facility’s visitation schedules, rules and procedures, and is provided a Rules and Rights Handbook, that also stipulates visitation rules and procedures. Family may visit on Sunday from 1:00 PM-4:00 PM.
1500 South McDonnell Ave.,
Los Angeles, CA 90022
(323) 981-4301
Please note:
- Approved visits are limited to parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis, grandparents and children of youth. A legal guardian must bring verification to the facility to be approved.
- Visits by persons other than those listed above are considered Special Visits, and require prior permission, that may be obtained via a court, DPO, or facility management.
- Youth’s minister, priest, rabbi, or other authorized religious chaplain may visit on weekdays with coordination from the appropriate religious facility coordinator. They are not allowed to visit during regular visiting hours this is considered a Special Visit.
- All visitors must be at least 21 yrs. of age, unless authorized by a court order, which would then be classified as a special visit and would require permission as listed above.
- Visitors must bring a valid government issued photo identification to be cleared to enter the facility and are not permitted to bring any items other than one (1) key on a single key ring and their identification.
- All visitors are to be appropriately dressed and must wear closed toe shoes. Click Here to see Visitor Dress Code.
- Visitors are not permitted to bring personal items to youth.
Once verified all visitors are subject to search. Note: Visiting hour searches are conducted by narcotic detection canines.
Hugs During Visits
The Los Angeles County Probation Department supports meaningful family connections as an important part of youth wellbeing and rehabilitation.
Following the passage of AB 1646, the Department will be working on implementation to ensure we are compliant with allowing hugs in January 2027. During in-person visits, youth and approved visitors will be able to share appropriate, consensual physical contact, including hugs. Both the youth and visitor must agree to physical contact. Either person may decline contact or ask that it stop. Declining physical contact will not affect eligibility for future visits.
Contact may be temporarily limited only when necessary to address a significant safety or security concern involving a specific youth or visitor, including a court-ordered restriction or a temporary, specific health concern.
Visitors must continue to follow identification, screening, search and prohibited-item requirements.
For questions about contact during visits, please speak with facility staff or the Family Liaison.
Abrazos Durante Visitas
Los Angeles County Probation Department reconoce la importancia que los vínculos familiars tienen para los jóvenes en nuestra custodia.
Tras la aprobación de la ley AB 1646, el Departamento está comenzando a implementar la ley para cumplir con las disposiciones que permitirán los abrazos durante las visitas para Enero 2027. Durante las visitas presenciales, los jóvenes y sus visitantes autorizados podrán tener contacto físico apropiado y consensuado, incluidos los abrazos. Tanto el/la jóven como el/la visitsante deben estar de acuerdo con el contacto físico. Cualquiera de los dos puede rechazarlo o pedir que se detenga. Rechazar el contacto físico no afectará el derecho a recibir o realizar visitas de contacto en el futuro.
El contacto físico podrá limitarse temporalmente, y únicamente cuando sea necesario si se determina que existe un riesgo significativo para la seguridad o la protección de las personas o de la institución. Esto puede incluir una restricción ordenada por un tribunal o una preocupación de salud específica y temporal.
Los visitantes deberán seguir cumpliendo con los requisitos de identificación, controles de seguridad, revisiones y artículos prohibidos durante las visitas.
Si tiene preguntas sobre el contacto físico durante las visitas, hable con el personal de la institución o con la persona encargada del enlace con las familias.
Visitas con Contacto Físico
PROGRAMS
Dorothy Kirby Center offers educational, therapeutic, and vocational programs to support youth rehabilitation,
including:
- Asian American Drug Abuse Program – Gender-expansive training services that are trauma-responsive, youth-centered, and grounded in cognitive behavioral approaches. These trainings support probationary youth at the Dorothy Kirby Center by exploring attitudes and beliefs, gender and sexuality, relevant legislation, and allyship and advocacy. The program creates a safe, respectful learning environment that builds self-awareness, empathy, and skills for positive decision-making and healthy relationships.
- Asian Youth Center – Conflict Resolution Education Training. Their mission is to empower at-risk youth of all communities to overcome barriers to success through the provision of culturally and linguistically competent education, employment, and social services.
- Drumming For Your Life Institute – Reading & Rhythm Program is a powerful system that addresses the needs of struggling readers, which includes anxiety and negative internal thinking.
- Drumming For Your Life Institute – Life Skills Drumming helps participants to identify and reflect upon their feelings and emotions in a safe way. They express through the drum; actions they can take to make a positive difference in their community.
- Financial Liberation Training Academy – offers a transformative Youth Financial Liberation Workshop designed to equip young people with the financial literacy necessary to thrive in adulthood.
- Wonderseed Foundation – offers the Express Yourself Program which teaches youth the tools to identify and express their unmet needs, frustrations, and anger in a safe and healthy way.