The "Right Steps to Opportunities of Prevention, Intervention, and Diversion Initiative" takes a holistic, multi-agency approach to address community concerns about at-risk and low-to-moderate-risk youth and their families who need support services and resources or are at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. By harnessing collaborative planning and integrated strategies, this initiative creates community and evidence-based programs that offer law enforcement, the 31st District Court Service Unit, and PWC schools an alternative pathway to divert youth at the point of contact into prevention, intervention, and diversion opportunities. The program fosters understanding, restitution, and personal growth by engaging youth, victims, families, and community members in a structured dialogue while reducing recidivism and strengthening community relationships.
The Conference Hearing Model is a diversion program that offers youth charged with misdemeanor offenses a chance to take accountability for their actions outside of the traditional court system. When referred to the program, youth offenders and their parent(s)/ guardian(s) must voluntarily agree to participate with the program in lieu of proceeding with the formal juvenile justice system options. A panel of trained community volunteers meets with youth to hear their case, discuss the impact of their behavior, and collaboratively assign meaningful sanctions (consequences). The purpose of the sanctions are to repair harm, promote accountability, and connect youth to positive, pro-social resources that support personal growth and community engagement. The Program is no more than 120 days, and upon successful completion, the youth will be diverted from the juvenile justice system.
The Community Hearing Model has two (2) key collaborative referral partners:
Prince William County Police Department
31st District Court Services Unit
Get involved:
Volunteer Interest Form - this will be a Microsoft Form link
Right Step Referral Form - this will be a Microsoft Form link
In research and development
Additional programs to be determined