Vanessa Sherman, Program Coordinator

Otoe County Juvenile Diversion

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Juvenile Diversion provides youth offenders an alternative to the court system, offering

programming to youth and their parents aimed at strengthening family relationships and

preventing future criminal behavior among young people.

Diversion programming and expansion is of top priority for the Nebraska Coalition for Juvenile Justice. Currently 50 of

Nebraska’s counties offer some type of diversion opportunity for youth offenders.

University of Nebraska Omaha-Juvenile Justice Institute, Prepared for the Nebraska Crime Commission, “Nebraska State Three Year Plan 2012-2015”, December 2011

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For every dollar spent on intervention programming for youth who are truant, using alcohol or drugs or

committing other crimes, $4.89 in benefits is returned to society. 1

Studies of juvenile court diversion programs that worked with low-risk, first-time juvenile offenders estimate taxpayers save approximately $5,679 per

participant in reduced criminal court and crime victim costs.2

1 Anton, Paul and Temple, Judy. “Analyzing the Social Return on Investment in Youth Intervention Programs,” March, 20072 Aos, Steve; Phipps, Polly; Barnoski, Robert; Lieb, Roxanne. “The Comparative Costs and Benefits of Programs to Reduce

Crime,” Version 4.0, Washington State Institute for Public Policy, May 2001

Benefits of Diversion Programs

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Youth are able to avoid a juvenile court record and instead are offered the opportunity to develop positive life skills and understand the importance of personal responsibility.

Families are able to strengthen relationships with their child through improved communication skills.

Communities benefit as youth understand their role in the community and develop positive attitudes as well as a sense of responsibility toward their community.

Burdens on the county and justice system for cost of juvenile care, court appointed attorney’s fees, and increasing case loads are reduced with effective diversion programming.

Benefits of Diversion Programs

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What we know about youth offenders …

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Youth are committing offenses at a younger age.

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-20110

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 1 02

0

5

01 1

8

12

18

9 9

19

46

38

5962

48

43

Grade School Middle School High School

The program serves an average of 50 juveniles each year.

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Since 2007, males have offended at a higher rate than females at its highest

this past year.

Male 79%

Female21%

2010-2011

Male63%

Female37%

2009-2010

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They commit various types of offenses.

MIP-Alcohol12%

MIP-Tobacco18%

Driv-ing Of -fenses

(POP/Schoo

l/Learner’s Per-mit

Viola-tions) 16%

Shoplifting21%

Curfew6%

Assault4%

Criminal Mis-chief4%

MIP-Mar-ijuana/Dru

g Par.2%

Dis-or-

derly

Conduct3%

Firework

s - pos-ses-sion, ille-gal, throwing9%

Possession of Obscene Material

3%

Distrubing the Peace1%

2009-2010

MIP-Alcohol21% MIP-

To-bacco

8%Driving Of -

fenses (POP/School/

Learner’s Permit Viola-

tions)11%

Shoplift-ing6%

Curfew2%

Assault8%

Trespass-ing6%

False Report-

ing4%

MIP-Mari-juana15%

Disorderly Conduct

4%

Fireworks - posses-sion, ille-

gal, throw-ing2%

Distrubing the Peace

15%

2010-2011

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Family income has changed, increasing the need for program waivers.

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-20110

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

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Youth show most risk factors in areas of peer relations, education,

employment and family.

Prior/Current Offenses

Family/Parenting

Education/Employment

Peer Relations

Substance Abuse

Recreation/Leisure

Personality/Behavior

Attitudes

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

0

0.700000000000001

0.8

1.1

0.4

0.4

0.600000000000001

0.1

0.4

2.2

2.2

2.8

1.5

2.1

2.2

1.4

District 2 Probation Otoe County Diversion

Scores based on YLS/CMI assessments conducted on diversion & probation participants. District 2 data provided by Corey Steele, Juvenile Justice Specialist, State Probation.

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FamilyBehavior/AttitudesSubstance UseLeisure/RecreationEmploymentEducationPeers

Programming centered around these areas of focus for all youth

and their families leads to measured success!

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Measured SuccessThe program celebrates a success rate

of 82%. Of all juveniles that have completed the program since its inception in 2004, 82% do not enter the

juvenile justice system with another offense.

18%

82%

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85%

15%

In 2010-2011 , 85% of eligible referrals elected to enroll in the diversion program, an increase from the average 66% in prior

years.

100% of participants successfully completed the program in 2010-2011.

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Youth have volunteered over 2,500 hours within Otoe County

communities.

Annual projects include:Bell Ringing for the Salvation ArmyFood Drive for SENCA food pantry

Applejack Festival activities and cleanupPark Cleanup/Restoration

Youth Give Back

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Hidden SuccessIncreased family

communicationBenefit of family

counseling and/or individual counseling

Increased commitment to school

Resistance to negative peer pressure

Obeying house rules

Obtaining a jobAbstaining from

substancesInvolvement in an

extra-curricular activity

Improved grades and attendance

Fewer outbursts at home and/or school

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Family I will continue to honor any curfew my parent/guardian designate and

house rules, staying home at times stipulated by my parent/guardian. I will complete the repayment contract outlining tasks

and/or money earned toward payment of the fee. I will attend assigned diversion sessions on… Behavior/Attitude I will act in a respectful and courteous manner.

This includes behavior in class, at home, school, and any public place. I will complete my letter of commitment to the program by… I will write a letter of apology and give to the program coordinator by… I will complete appropriate assessments and/or explore counseling

options.

Substance Use I will abstain from use of alcohol, tobacco and any other drugs and I

understand that being in the presence of such substances puts me at risk of another offense and possible termination from the program.

Youth Accountability Plan

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Leisure/Recreation I will explore opportunities for involvement in structured

extra-curricular activities that best fit my strengths and abilities. I will complete 15 hours of volunteer community service. (Service

must be in Otoe County and cannot be done for a relative.)

 Education/Employment I will provide the program coordinator with a grade

report as requested. I will attend school on a daily basis and maintain

passing grades at a 3 or above. I will pursue avenues of employment or attend

work as scheduled by my employer.

Peer Relationships I will associate myself with positive friends. If my parent/guardian

choose to limit the persons with whom I associate I will not associate with those persons.

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Standard RequirementsYouth must accept

responsibility for his/her offense.

Pay the diversion fee amount of $125 or more, depending on offense type.

Receive no additional law violations while in the program.

Attend class and/or individual sessions, parent/guardian attendance required at some sessions.

Youth and parent/guardian must sign diversion the contract and agree to all terms.

If terms are not followed consequences could include additional requirements, length in the program extended, and/or termination from the program.

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Changes to the enrollment process has increased the enrollment percentage from 65% to 85%.

The WhyTry curriculum motivates behavior change among youth offenders and is implemented in group and individual sessions.

The Power of Parents program and Real Colors sessions have enhanced support and resources for families to help them understand their teen and strengthen family communication.

In-school sessions with youth, attendance and grade checks are conducted weekly.

The Nebraska Youth Screen (NYS) conducted on cited juveniles provides additional information to the County Attorney’s office and serves as a pre-screen for the diversion program. (17 screens were conducted by phone from October through December 2011, 10 were diversion eligible and all enrolled)

Tier II programming is offered to 2nd time youth offenders. Program waivers continue to be offered with 15 families

requesting assistance this past year.

Enhanced Programming

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Vanessa Sherman, Program Coordinator917 Wildwood Lane, Suite HNebraska City, NE 68410402-873-6346Email: pu40821@windstream.netWebsite: www.p40c.org/programs

Dave Partsch, Otoe County AttorneyTim Noerrlinger, Deputy Otoe County Attorney 115 N. 10th StreetNebraska City, NE 68410402-873-9044

Program Contacts: