Juvenile Diversion Program (NWDA-JDP)
Restorative justice
Addressing substance use
Addressing mental health needs
Addressing domestic violence
Reducing contact with formal court processing
Intervening early with young people
- Description
- This pre-arraignment program offers intervention at an early stage to eligible youth in order to increase safety, accountability, competency development, improve outcomes; and decrease the likelihood of further offenses
- How long has the program been operating?
- More than 10 years
- If applicable, what approach, method, or goal best describes the diversion program?
- Restorative justiceAddressing substance useAddressing mental health needsAddressing domestic violenceReducing contact with formal court processingIntervening early with young people
- At what stage of the process does the diversion program occur?
- After referral to the prosecutor, but before the case is filed/chargedAfter the case is filed/charged, but before the defendant enters a pleaOther
- What population is your program intended to serve?
- People arrested for the first timePeople arrested with a particular offensePeople with mental health disordersPeople with substance use disordersPeople under 18 years old
- How are participants identified for the diversion program?
- Referral from intake staff to diversion staffLine prosecutor who receives case decides about diversionReferral from law enforcementReferral from school or other community partner
- Are there any factors specific to your jurisdiction that influence how you structure this diversion program?
- None
- Does your office have informal or written policies about this diversion program's criteria/eligibility?
- Yes
- If applicable, please describe the diversion program's criteria/eligibility.
- Juvenile offenders between ages of 12 and 18 may be offered the option for diversion depending on factors includingbut not limited to: the naturefactscircumstances and severity of the offensesafety of the communitythe juvenile's role in the offenseprior court involvementvictim inputwilling to accept responsibilitywilling to engage and participate in the program
- What are the programmatic options and/or requirements for the diversion?
- Receive behavioral health assessmentAttend behavioral health interventionAttend programming that is not a behavioral health interventionFollow individualized case management planPay restitutionWrite an apology letter to victim/communityComplete community serviceComplete a restorative process
- How long does the diversion program usually last on average for someone who completes successfully?
- 3-6 months
- How does the diversion program impact your office's resources?
- Programmatic costs are covered by prosecutor’s officeProgrammatic costs are covered by health care system or other stakeholder(s)
After the case is charged, but prior to arraignment
- Jurisdiction details
- Gleason Road, Northampton, MA, USA
- 250,000 to 499,999
- Jurisdiction contact
- Becky Michaels