DIVERSION TO ASSETS An Evidence Based Opportunity To create community supports for first-time youth offenders, diverting them away from the system and toward pro-social experiences

Support Empowerment Boundaries and Expectations Constructive Use of Time Commitment to Learning Positive Values Positive Identity Social Competencies

Diversion to Assets Overview Diverts youth age 9-18 to mentoring, community service, restorative justice, after-school programs, evidence-based curriculums, or other community-based learning experiences Program time varies from 3 weeks to 3 months Holds youth accountable to caring adults in the larger community Holds youth accountable to develop their assets and make a restorative, positive contribution to their community

Diversion to Assets Target Population Low-risk youth who commit a chargeable offense in school or in the community Examples Theft Criminal mischief Substance abuse Assault

Diversion to Assets The Process Local Police, School Resource Officers or JCCOs refer the youth directly to the local D2A Coordinator—located in at the South End Teen Center.

Diversion to Assets The D2A Coordinator administers the Developmental Asset Profile (DAP)-- depending on the situation, may also administer the JASAE or a Career Exploration Assessment Together with the youth and their family, the D2A Coordinator creates several interventions that will build the strengths of this young person The DAP is administered at the end of the intervention to determine whether or not the youth has increased his or her assets

Diversion to Assets Actual Interventions Substance abuse counseling Youth empowerment activities Recreation Parent education Teen parent education *Community service (volunteer internships) Mentoring Restorative justice Mental health counseling

Diversion to Assets Process of Volunteer Internship Placement Utilizing the DAP, Career Interest Survey and Sparks survey we determine youth’s area of interests and assets. Identify potential youth friendly businesses to host youth for 8 week volunteer internship. Key is to match business and youth based on youth survey results. What can business expect?

Diversion to Assets Waterville’s Story: Since beginning in June referrals –of which have completed 23 the program successfully Of those 23 only 2 have re-offended That is a 85% success rate (of the 4 that did not complete the program 2 were determined inappropriate and 2 re- offended before beginning program

Diversion to Assets Results 75% of participating youth showed an improvement in their Developmental Asset Profile scores— internal assets revealed the most statistically significant change

For more information Nancy Souza Nancy Findlan GWC4CY