§ 42-72-33 - Youth diversion program.
SECTION 42-72-33
§ 42-72-33 Youth diversion program. –(a) There is created in the department of children, youth, and families, theyouth diversion program, a community-based program providing outreach andadvocacy services to youth between the ages of nine (9) and seventeen (17), whomay be the subject of a family court petition or at risk for committing waywardor disobedient acts including truancy, running away, and violation of schoolrules. Referrals to the youth diversionary program shall be served for amaximum of ninety (90) days and include, but are not limited to, the followingservices:
(1) An assessment of the needs of the child and family;
(2) Development of a plan and provision of services toinclude educational and vocational support services and employment linkages;
(3) Counseling;
(4) Family mediation;
(5) Crisis intervention;
(6) Advocacy on the child's behalf with schools, police,employment resources and other community agencies;
(7) Short-term respite limited to three (3) days duringcrisis periods; and
(8) Follow-up and after-care services as needed.
(b) In considering competitive proposals to establish localprograms, the department will give priority to agencies that:
(1) Are part of a municipal government or nonprofit,local-based agencies;
(2) Have established a local advisory board representative oflocal government, police, schools, and youth-serving agencies;
(3) Locate in communities that have a juvenile-arrest ratethat exceeds the most recently available statewide average juvenile-arrest rate;
(4) Collaborate with surrounding communities where thejuvenile population may be too small to require a full-time program; and
(5) Coordinate with other youth-serving agencies and programsin the local community.
(c) Prior to a hearing on a petition alleging a first offensewayward or disobedient act as defined above, the family court shall ensure thata referral has been made to the appropriate local youth diversion program. Areport by that program shall be submitted to the court at least one week priorto the adjudication hearing. The report shall identify the problems in thefamily, services provided, progress, and outcomes of the services, andrecommendations for future intervention. The report shall become a part of therecord and be used by the family court in disposing of the petition.