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Youth Diversion Program

Young offenders from the White Bear Lake area are referred to the Youth Diversion Program as an alternative to juvenile court.  Law enforcement agencies and county corrections departments refer youth after an offense has been committed.  Parents may also refer their children to the program.  Typical offenses that might result in a diversion referral include theft, minor assaults, curfew violations, disorderly conduct, and possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, or other chemicals.

The purpose of the Diversion Program is to provide community-based consequences, counseling, and education to young offenders.  Contracts are established and monitored for all juveniles, based on an initial assessment.  The goal, through these contracts, is to help youth increase their awareness of the effects of their behaviors, take responsibility for the choices they make, improve decision-making skills, and repair the harm done to the victim and community.

There are many benefits for the young offenders who choose to participate in the Diversion Program.  If a youth successfully completes the diversion contract, there will be no court record of the offense.  Over 85% of diverted youth do not re-offend within six months of completing the Diversion Program.  Most importantly, this program allows youth the opportunity to re-build connections with the victim(s) who were harmed as a result of their offense.

The Diversion Process

1.      Parents/guardians and the referring law enforcement agency agree that an offense has been committed and a referral to diversion is appropriate.

2.           Parents/guardians will receive a letter asking them to call the Counseling Center within one week to make an appointment with a diversion counselor.  If this is not done, the case will be returned to the referring agency for possible court action.

3.      The youth and at least one parent/guardian will meet with the diversion counselor for one hour.  There is no charge for this session.  In this time, the counselor will complete an initial assessment.  The following information must be provided during the assessment:

             *         Family size and income

             *         Family history        

             *         School history        

             *         Prior offenses

             *         Social history

             *         Description of current offense

             *         Other information as deemed necessary by counselor

4.      An individualized diversion contract and deadline for completion will be established.

5.      If the contract is not completed by an agreed upon deadline, the case will be returned to the referring agency for possible court action.

6.      Parents/guardians can anticipate a follow-up phone call six months after program completion.

The Diversion Contract

The following are possible components of the diversion contract.

COMMUNITY WORK SERVICE

Each year young offenders provide over 4,000 hours of unpaid service to the White Bear Lake area.  They help clean up parks and streets, assist at nursing homes and libraries, and perform many other useful services in the community. 

FINANCIAL RESTITUTION

The diversion counselor works with youth to ensure that victims receive financial compensation for certain types of property offenses.

AWARENESS CLASSES

These are educational classes that explore alternative options, decision-making skills, and consequences for specific offenses.

Chemical Awareness Class = 3 hours, parent must attend, $35

Theft Awareness Class = 2.5 hours, parent must attend, $35

Tobacco Awareness Class = 2.5 hours, parent optional, $35

Anger Awareness Class  = 2.5 hours, youth only, $35

OTHER POSSIBLE CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

              *         Victim/offender mediation

              *         Research or awareness paper

              *         Written apology to victim

              *         Referrals to counseling, chemical assessment, and/or drug testing

Call 651-429-8544 to make an appointment or to find out more about any of the services listed above.