NCJ Number
137454
Date Published
1992
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The goal of the Juvenile Diversion Program , initiated in 1985 by the Jackson Township Police Department and the Stark County juvenile court system in Ohio, is to identify alternative ways of dealing with juvenile delinquency and potential at-risk adolescents.
Abstract
The program incorporates a proactive approach to identify adolescents who exhibit oppositional, defiant, or conduct disorder type behavior. Predelinquent or first-time offenders are referred to a family counseling environment in order to deter inappropriate or dysfunctional behavior from continuing to disrupt family unity. Regardless of whether official police or court contact has been made, the police counselor assesses each situation and suggests appropriate followup. When an adolescent has been identified as a possible at-risk student, the police counselor offers the family an opportunity to participate in the Juvenile Diversion Program. Due to the number of referrals, each family usually has three sessions or personal contacts with the counselor before recommendations are made. Once a family is referred outside the police department, the police counselor stays in contact with the referral source for about 2 months. Depending on the nature of the situation, however, each case is monitored on an individual and as-needed basis. If police charges are filed on the adolescent, recommendations are forwarded to the juvenile court. The police counselor does not act as a probation officer or attempt to overrule court action. His or her role is to act as an advocate among the adolescent, family, police, court, and school. In the event that diversion services are not accepted by the family after a charge has been filed, this refusal is noted to the juvenile court. Steps in program operation are detailed, and juvenile complaint and diversion forms are included. Organizational charts of the Stark County juvenile court are provided.