What is Juvenile Detention Diversion?

The Juvenile Detention Diversion Program provides services to youth with a serious emotional disturbance and or a developmental disability that have court involvement. The Juvenile Detention Diversion Coordinator is available for mental health and risk assessment screenings, consultation, and meeting with individuals involved with the court system as needed or when requested. The Juvenile Detention Diversion Coordinator provides technical assistance, consultation, and training related to mental health issues to juvenile home employees, probate court staff and others.

How does the Juvenile Detention Diversion Program help youth and families?

All families that have a youth involved with the court can request a screening. Based on the results of the MAYSI-2 screening tool the Juvenile Detention Diversion Coordinator links the child and their family to appropriate community resources. The coordinator also provides some of those families with Brief Strategic Family Therapy. A primary goal of the program is to divert children with a severe emotional disturbance or a developmental disability from placement in a secure detention facility into appropriate services and treatment programs. Such programs may include outpatient therapy, case management, psychiatric services, substance abuse treatment, anger management, social skills training or self-esteem groups and educational or vocational services.