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Youth Diversions Begin

After nearly a year of organization and planning, TJJD is set to begin assisting counties with diverting eligible youth from state placements.  The agency’s Regionalization Task Force, comprised of county probation chiefs from around the state along with other stakeholders, has met six times to develop guidelines regarding what type of youth will be best served in a regional placement as opposed to commitment to the state system.  The Task Force also worked on a funding mechanism to ensure state funding for these diversions.


Beginning June 1, 2016, TJJD will begin accepting applications from counties to place youth who meet diversion criteria.  By the end of Fiscal Year 2016, 30 youth will be diverted from state placement.  In 2017, an additional 150 youth will be diverted.  TJJD staff, county officials and providers have worked diligently to identify regional placement options that will provide youth with the appropriate services in a location closer to their families. 


Once an application is received from a county, TJJD’s review team will examine the youth profile and treatment plan and select the best candidates for diversion.  In cases with a short turnaround time, applications may be considered within five days.  In all cases, counties will be notified prior to the youth’s court date whether the youth will be approved for diversion funding. 


According to TJJD Executive Director David Reilly, “Our goal is to treat kids in the least restrictive environments possible.  Keeping them closer to their families will increase the chances for positive outcomes.”

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