Colorado's 13th Judicial District Youth Diversion Program
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Diversion is defined in the Colorado Children’s Code (§19-1-103(44), C.R.S.) as “a decision made by a person with authority or a delegate of that person in which the result is that a specific official action of the legal system is not taken against the youth in lieu of participating in individually designed services provided by a specific program."...
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The goal is to prevent youth from becoming involved (or more deeply involved) in the formal legal system.
Juvenile Diversion becomes an opportunity for youth to learn from their mistakes, while also receiving an alternative to having the full extent of Court involvement to learn said lessons. Diversion can make it possible for youth to avoid a negative juvenile court record, even though some of their choices have included criminal behavior. Juvenile Diversion programs are based on the premise that many youth are harmed more than they are helped by becoming involved with the traditional juvenile justice system.
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Referring Young People to Diversion
The Diversion program can help youth and families throughout the 7 county 13th Judicial District in northeastern Colorado.
This includes Kit Carson, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties.
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Some concerns or situations that Diversion could help with:
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Criminal Behavior
Truancy/School Attendance
Substance Use
Minor in Possession
Anger Management/Fighting
Bullying
Unhealthy Choices (sexting, internet use)
Behavior Concerns
Family Conflict
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​District, County, and Municipal Courts and the District Attorney's Office
Youth Diversion Programs throughout the country focus on finding alternative interventions for youth who are referred to the justice system for minor delinquent behavior. The standards define “minor delinquent behavior” as “conduct that does not rise to the level of significant or repeated harm to others, significant or repeated property loss or damage, or a threat of significant harm to others.”
With Diversion, Officers of the Court in the 13th Judicial District now have a supportive option that will educate young people rather than punish them.
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Click here to make a referral now!
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School Administrators, Deans of Students, and
School Counselors
The professionals who work with kids on a daily basis are often the ones who first notice when something isn’t quite right. By referring kids from schools to Diversion, we can often help them before the issues they’re facing escalate.
Truancy
Substance Use
Bullying
are a few examples of concerns for which school officials may choose to refer a student to Diversion.
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Law Enforcement Officers
Our local police and sheriff departments do an amazing job with kids. Sometimes officers let a young person off with a warning when they’ve done something they shouldn’t be doing because they don’t want to see a “good kid” enter the court system.
Diversion provides an intervention option that is not punitive. Rather, kids are given the opportunity to learn from their mistakes.
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Police officers are encouraged to make direct referrals to Diversion when youth are on the radar for such behavior.
Some examples include:
Substance Use
Minor in Possession
Anger Management/Fighting
Curfew Violations
Theft
Trespassing
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Child Welfare Professionals
Crossover youth (involved in both the child welfare and the juvenile justice systems), are at the very top of the list of kids that we all worry about. Over the past decade, a tremendous amount of work has been done to understand how to best help youth avoid this situation, including finding alternatives to juvenile justice referrals from the child welfare system.
The Diversion program could be a great option when youth in foster care or other youth who end up on the radar within the child welfare system engage in low-level crimes or status offenses such as:
Truancy
Youth in Conflict
Substance Use
Curfew Violations
Unhealthy Behaviors
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Click here to make a referral now!
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Diversion Services
You might be asking yourself, “What exactly does Diversion do? What kind of help does Diversion provide?”
Diversion services include:
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1 - Risk/Needs Assessment
When youth are referred to Diversion, the first thing that happens is a conversation. This is a strengths-based, family-driven process during which the purpose is to get to know this kid and understand what's going on, what they've already got going for them, and then identify ways that Diversion can HELP.
*The Arizona Needs/Risk Assessment is included in this process, as well as components of the BSTAD screening tool.
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2 - Diversion Agreement
The Youth Diversion Agreement includes the following:
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*Voluntary participation
*School enrollment/engagement
*No new criminal activity
*Restitution
*Coaching Program
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3 - Coaching Program
All youth who are enrolled in Diversion will be guided through a crash course in self-development that will lead to greater self-awareness and purpose-driven decision-making. Coaching includes lessons from The Messy in Between curriculum, plus weekly coaching sessions that help youth maximize the life lessons available to them through to the incident that led to their referral.
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Key concepts taught include:
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Identity
Purpose
Core Values
Decision-Making Skills
Goal Achievement
Cognitive Behavioral Skills
Avoiding Harmful Behaviors
and Resilience
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Click here to learn more about the coaching program!
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4 - Referrals, Resources, and Service Coordination
When youth would benefit from multi-system service coordination, a wraparound model will be implemented to provide an individualized approach. Service providers, natural supports, and the youth and family work together to help achieve the family goals. This process includes the utilization of an appropriate multi-system release of information and follow-up services to ensure engagement with the service plan.
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5 - Graduation!
"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is to celebrate." Oprah Winfrey
When youth complete the program, their achievements are celebrated! The specifics of this will be determined in part by the youth and family, but will always include a $50 gift card and diploma.
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What are the eligibility requirements to refer a youth to Diversion?Youth-serving professionals in the 13th JD are encouraged to refer youth for a variety of concerns. These guidelines may be helpful in making recommendations for youth to receive services from Diversion: Youth resides (or was charged) in the 7-county 13th Judicial District (Kit Carson, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Yuma) Youth is between 10 and 18 years old (exceptions can be made) Youth and parents voluntarily agree to participate in the program Youth is willing to show remorse and/or admission of guilt if criminal behavior is involved Youth is willing to enter into the Diversion contract and comply with agreements made Diversion services are appropriate for the level of intervention required to meet the physical, mental, developmental and emotional health needs of the youth. You do NOT need to know if the youth meets these criteria BEFORE the referral is made. Eligibility is determined during the screening process. Youth who do not meet the eligibility requirements will still benefit from referrals to alternative resources in the community. Click here to make a referral now!
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Who can make a referral?Youth-serving professionals in the 13th JD are encouraged to refer youth. Examples of youth-serving professionals: ​ The District Attorney and DA office staff District and County Court Judges Municipal Court Judges Youth Services administrators at municipal or county courts Probation Officers CYDC Case Managers Police Officers Sheriffs and Deputies School Administrators (principals, deans of students, school counselors) Child Welfare/Human Services Professionals Counselors and Therapists Click here to make a referral today!
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How do I make a referral?Great question! If you're ready to make a referral today, simply click this link and get started: 13th JD Youth Diversion Referral Form Information you will need: Youth name, DOB, contact info Parent contact info Basic details about reasons for the referral We will follow up to fill in the gaps for additional and unkown information that the referral form may ask about. So don't hesitate to get the process started by connecting youth and families with Diversion if you think it could be helpful! Click here to make a referral today!
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What are the terms & conditions of the Diversion contract?The Diversion contract is customized to each youth and the circumstances involved with their referral. Some components of the contract are standard for all youth, including: Voluntary participation No new criminal offenses No drug or alcohol use School attendance and/or employment Coaching Program Additional components of the contract that may or may not be included on a case by case basis, in a variety of combinations, include but are not limited to: Letter of Apology Useful Public Service Restitution Drug Testing Individual Counseling or Therapy Family Counseling Employment School Plan for Attendance & Success Status Meetings Click here to make a referral today!
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What fees are involved for Diversion services? How much does it cost?Mostly, Diversion is FREE. The core services of Diversion are fully funded by the 13th Judicial District through Colorado Department of Criminal Justice funding. Fully Funded Services (FREE to youth, family): Screening Resources and Referrals 90-Day Coaching Program Some services that are identified as beneficial during the intake/screening process may require fees. When fees are required with no funding source, those services will be recommendations only and NOT included in the contract. Services that may require a funding source: Counseling Therapy Drug Tests Drug Treatment Program Extended or Alternative Education Programs Every effort will be made to find funding sources when any of these services are identified as needed or beneficial to the youth and/or family. Possible funding sources include: Medicaid, Private Insurance, Probation, CYDC, Human Services, Collaborative Management prevention programs, or other grant initiatives in our local communities. The family can choose to pay for any alternative services if they are able. Click here to make a referral today!
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Where is the Diversion program located?Diversion is supervised by the 13th Judicial District Attorney's office, located in Sterling and Fort Morgan, Colorado. The program is currently managed by Soul Grower Industries, located in Merino, Colorado. In-person meetings with youth, families, and/or service providers are held at a mutually agreed upon location, or by Zoom. Many meetings and training programs are held at The Annex, next to the Logan County Courthouse in Sterling, Colorado. Meetings with Youth & Families Meetings and coaching sessions take place at a mutually agreed upon location Zoom will be utilized for most coaching calls and check-in meetings Intake screenings and graduation ceremonies will be IN PERSON whenever possible ISST Meetings When relevant, Individual Service and Support Team meetings will be held after the screening of a youth into Diversion Location will be determined on a case by case basis Service providers will have the option to attend in person or by Zoom Youth and family will be IN PERSON when possible Youth-Serving Stakeholder Meetings Diversion will become an integral part of the youth-serving network of service providers that currently exist throughout the 13th Judicial District. Efforts to unite with local Collaborative Management Programs and the Juvenile Services Planning Commission are underway Some invitations will be extended for Diversion-specific stakeholder planning and/or training sessions. These will most often be held at The Annex, next to the Logan County Courthouse. The Annex 121 S. 4th Street Sterling, CO 80741 Click here to make a referral today!
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Who can I contact if I have more questions?Rhonda Jo Rhonda@13thjddiversion.org (970)305-4638 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm Mailing Address: P.O. Box 75 Merino, CO 80741 13th JD District Attorney Travis Sides tsides@13thda.com Click here to make a referral today!
Contact Us
Program Manager:
Rhonda Jo
(970)305-4638
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P.O. Box 75
Merino, CO 80741