Adolescent Diversion Initative

On January 17th, 2012 four Adolescent Diversion Parts opened up n Bronx County. The Adolescent Diversion Parts (ADPs) serve as dedicated courts designed to improve misdemeanor case outcomes for 16 and 17 year olds. The ADPs will seek to help these adolescents avoid the legal and collateral consequences associated with conviction and link them with the assistance they need to pursue law-abiding, productive futures

Bronx Community Solutions will provide the courts with expanded youth specific social service sentencing options as part of the new Adolescent Diversion Initiative. The menu of in-house and collaborative services are designed to address issues of substance abuse, mental health, conflict resolution, educational deficits, as well as provide community restitution through youth specific community service. Service options are designed with a range of days from which judges can choose the amount of days that best suit individual cases.

Last week, Bronx Commuity Solutions Crew Supervisors, along with Americorps interns, oversaw the the first evening, youth-based community service project at a local community recreation center. Here's what the supervisor had to say:

"It"s a pleasure to take on an assignment that has meaning not just to the community but to the youth involved. Working with the youth has taught most of us supervisors that there's a fine line between high resistance and complete submission. The key to reaching that goal with the youth is a genuine love for them and patience (lots of patience) . On Thursday February 9th the ADP clients did a complete cleaning around the perimeter of West Bronx Recreation Center, a well needed task . It started off with some resistance but ended with conversation and encouragement. Our intern Sean Myers did an outstanding job communicating with the young clients, it spoke volumes for what BCS is all about. So I say, not just as a staff member but as a fan of BCS, BRAVO, FOR BCS !!"

Matthew Usher,
Bronx Community Solutions, Crew Supervisor