Jefferson County Juvenile Diversion Program

Jefferson County Juvenile Diversion Program Juvenile diversion is a cooperative effort of: Blue Valley Community Action Inc. Jefferson County Juvenile Justice Council University of Nebraska - Lincoln Cooperative Extension Funding provided by the Nebraska Commission on Crime What is Diversion? Diversion provides an opportunity for youth who have committed a law violation to accept responsibility for their action without entering the Juvenile Justice System. Diversion utilizes education, victim response, restitution, and community service work to provide an experience that will aid the youth from further criminal activity. Diversion is generally for first time offenders who have came into contact with the laws but have not committed a major crime. Diversion utilizes the continuum of care in the community to address the individual needs of the youth to help him/her avoid future criminal activity. Why Juvenile Diversion? Diversion allows a youth the opportunity to accept responsibility for his/her actions without having a criminal record. Diversion is more cost effective than the traditional juvenile justice process. Diversion utilizes community resources that are more cost effective than traditional means i.e. correctional setting, treatment centers. Diversion reduces the number of repeat offenders... reducing the cost of further prosecution. Diversion encourages parental involvement to aid in strengthening families. Diversion is based at the community level allowing the community to respond that criminal activity will not be tolerated. Allows victims of crime a greater voice and greater opportunity for input. Diversion programs are invested both in the youth and the community.