Frequently Asked Questions
 

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What are the eligibility requirements to refer a youth for Diversion services?

 

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:

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• 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.

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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:

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• 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

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HOW do I make a referral?

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Great question! If you're ready to make a referral today, simply click on the link below or copy and paste it into your browser:

http://bit.ly/13thjddiv

 

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 might be a good option for the family!

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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:

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• No new criminal offenses

• No drug or alcohol use

• School engagement and/or employment

• Coaching Program

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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:

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• Letter of Apology

• Useful Public Service

• Restitution

• Drug Testing

• Individual Counseling or Therapy

• Family Counseling

• Employment

• School Plan for Attendance & Success

• Status Meetings

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What fees are involved for a youth to participate in Diversion?

 

The core services of Diversion programs are fully funded by the 13th Judicial District through Colorado Department of Criminal Justice funding.

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• Fully Funded Services (FREE to youth, family)

  • Screening​

  • Resources and Referrals

  • 90-Day Coaching Program

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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. 

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• Services that may require a funding source

  • Counseling​

  • Therapy

  • Drug Tests

  • Drug Treatment Program

  • Extended or Alternative Education Programs

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**All efforts will be made to find funding sources when any of these services are identified as needed or beneficial to the youth and/or family. Possibilities include:  Medicaid, private insurance, Probation, CYDC, Human Services, Collaborative Management prevention programs, or other grant initiatives in local communities.

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Where is the Diversion Program located?

 

Diversion is supervised by the 13th Judicial District Attorney's office, located in Sterling, 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.

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• 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 when 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.