The probation team member serves as a case manager for all minors referred to the project, which develops and uses police diversion to respond to problems ranging from truancy to major criminal offenses. The program also involves strategies such as student courts and volunteer mediation to divert selected offenders from entering the formal juvenile justice system process. The hubs located in McKinleyville, Eureka, Fortuna and Garberville serve as a clearinghouse for juvenile offenders for day reporting, supervision, and coordination with community policing, schools and other resources. Each hub offers a continuum of services and sanctions that responds to offender needs, and provides high-intensity tracking for the youth who will be served by the project.
Assignment is based on judicial findings.
The project takes a multi-agency approach in providing a variety of services to minors and their families. Services include an on-site educational component that emphasizes computer and life skills training, as well as individual and family counseling. The graduated sanctions project targets youth ages 13 to 17 whom the court orders to participate in a multi-agency service system that includes prevention, intervention, supervision and incarceration elements. The Community Assessment and Referral Center provides an alternative to juvenile hall for youth 11 to 17 years of age who were arrested in the City. The program, which connects youth to a case manager and mentor, includes crisis intervention, assessment, service integration, referral and monitoring.