HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-12 Staff Report - LA County Youth Diversion ProgramCONSENT ITEM
E-12
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ROCKY WENRICK, CHIEF OF POLICE
DATE: AUGUST 19, 2024
SUBJECT: APPROVAL TO ENTER A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS
ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT –
DIVERSION PROGRAM
BACKGROUND:
In 2017, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion to advance
a comprehensive countywide approach to equitably improving youth outcomes and community
safety by establishing a program that would support a network of effective, equitable, community-
based Diversion services for young people in lieu of arrest or citation through partnerships with
local law enforcement agencies in communities throughout the County.
Diversion services were launched in the Department of Health Services’ Youth Diversion and
Development (YDD) Unit. Effective July 1, 2022, YDD and Diversion services have transitioned
to the new Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development (DYD) which assumes
responsibility for all existing and future Diversion efforts.
Current law enforcement trends favor diversion, in lieu of criminal prosecution for juvenile
offenders. Whenever possible, it is preferred that juvenile offenders be enrolled in diversion and
development programs which mitigate the long-term effects of criminal convictions on a juvenile’s
personal criminal history, and their family or support group. Arrests and convictions do not address
the internal and external factors which contribute to a juvenile’s delinquent or criminal behavior.
Diversion programs focus on and address the juvenile’s specific needs, and prepare them to lead a
more productive life as a juvenile, and later as an adult. Also, in cases where the juvenile’s family
is in the re-unification process or participating in social service programs such as; parenting
classes, group counseling, or anger management, a juvenile arrest can cause additional conflict in
the home, and make it increasingly difficult for the family to successfully complete assistance
programs.
Approved
City Council
August 19, 2024
Agreement LA County DYD
August 19, 2024
Page 2
Youth Diversion programs are voluntary and provide juveniles with an opportunity to be referred
to assistance programs in lieu of arrest or criminal citation. The purpose of diversion is to; correct
behavior, develop the juvenile mind, and reduce the likelihood of future delinquent behavior,
arrest, or incarceration. Participating juveniles receive services, which meet their specific needs,
and are responsive to their adolescent brain development. Juveniles and families who participate
in youth diversion programs are mentored while receiving academic, physical, and behavioral
support services. Designated Case Managers work with juveniles and family members throughout
the process, monitor progress, and verify that the juvenile did or did not complete the diversion
program. Case Managers report back to the law enforcement agency that initiated the diversion
and confirm whether or not the juvenile completed the program. If the juvenile fails to do so, or
the parent(s) do not comply with the process, the law enforcement agency can re-initiate a criminal
complaint by the issuance of a citation, or initiating an arrest.
Partnering with the LA County Department of Youth Development will implement youth
Diversion that can improve health, academic, and social outcomes for youth otherwise at risk for
long-term involvement in the justice system. Effective, equitable youth Diversion also improve
public safety and reduces system costs.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1) Authorize the City Manager to execute the partnership agreement with the Los Angeles
County Department of Youth Development and Volunteers of America in a form
acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City.
ANALYSIS:
Entities entering this partnership agree to follow a DYD Program model that was developed over
the course of a multi-year planning process that included the LA County Board of Supervisors, the
Department of Public Health, community-based providers, youth advocates, law enforcement
agencies, the Juvenile Court, and representatives from other youth-serving systems. Through the
partnership the DYD will provide training, technical assistance, and tools.
The goal of this partnership is to provide comprehensive Diversion services, which will seek to
reduce youth delinquency, build community cohesion, decrease justice system costs, and improve
police-community relations. The Azusa Police Department, through the partnership, will refer all
eligible and suitable youth to community-based partners for Diversion and development services
in lieu of arrest, citation, or booking. From there, the identified partners will conduct strengths-
based intake assessments, develop individualized Diversion and developmental care plans based
on the goals of each participating youth, provide care coordination and case management to
support the completion of those goals.
Agreement LA County DYD
August 19, 2024
Page 3
Through the implementation of the partnership, the City will be working towards the reduction of
recidivism rates while increasing public safety and positive youth development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the City.
Prepared by: Reviewed by:
Tamara Patlogar Rocky Wenrick
Police Administrative Services Manager Chief of Police
Fiscal Review by: Reviewed and Approved by:
Talika M. Johnson Sergio Gonzalez
Director of Administrative Services City Manager
Attachments:
1) Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development (DYD) Partnership Agreement
Attachment 1