Youth Diversion

Youth Diversion Program

Pasco Sheriff’s Office Youth Diversion Program is a program whereby juvenile offenders and juvenile offenses are evaluated for referral to the most appropriate and effective alternative, whether a specific diversion program or the criminal intake process. The program uses a rigorous screening method to ensure only those youth who qualify are accepted into the program.  Additionally, youth accepted into the program must be under the age of (18) at the time of the offense, must have made an admission of guilt, cannot have previously failed the Diversion Program, have no wants or warrants, currently not on Diversion or Probation, and have no pending charges.

The goal of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Youth Diversion Program is to support and empower parents by providing positive alternatives to the formal court process and to prevent at-risk youth from entering the juvenile delinquency court system while ensuring that effective consequences deter further criminal behavior. The Diversion Program provides benefits to tax-payers by dealing early and quickly with delinquent behavior; therefore, reducing the burden on local law enforcement agencies, overburdened detention facilities, and the court system. The Diversion Program also reduces truancy resulting in reducing school costs, and ultimately, reduces dropout rates.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office Youth Diversion Program uses family/community-based treatment, which has been found to be the most effective form of intervention for successfully treating youth. They must accept responsibility for their actions through the use of sanctions including, but not limited to: paying restitution to victims, substance abuse counseling, anger management counseling, apology letters, educational essays, community service work, Peer Pressure & Consequence classes, Drug Court Ambassador Program, Choices Program, mandatory school attendance, peer mediation programs, and funeral home tours.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office Youth Diversion Program employs four full-time Youth Services Specialists and one clerk who fall under the supervision of the Youth Diversion Supervisor. Currently, the Department of Juvenile Justice funds the Youth Services Specialist positions. Pasco Sheriff’s Office provides office space, vehicle, fuel, supplies, and supervision of the Youth Services Specialists.