Juvenile Diversion Strategies and Models
Source: National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice
Resource Type: Documents and Publications
Focus Population: People with Juvenile Justice System Involvement, Youth, Youth of Transition Age
Topics: Criminal or Juvenile Justice System, Schools, School-based Services, Trauma-informed
An overview of juvenile diversion is presented in this document, followed by 16 steps of guidance from the juvenile justice field on implementing a successful diversion program. This framework is a web-based adaptation of the Juvenile Diversion Guidebook prepared by the Models for Change Juvenile Diversion Workgroup. The original guidebook addressed diversion in juvenile justice; this online version focuses on diversion for justice-involved youth with behavioral health needs. Each of the 16 steps includes resources for juvenile justice professionals and administrators, behavioral health partners, and other stakeholders seeking to support the successful implementation of a diversion program. It includes many examples from justice diversion programs from across the U.S.