Wood County Human Services Department received a program award from the Department of Health Services for the Community Partnerships for Diversion from Youth Justice grant in 2020 and has partnered with CW Solutions to operate the program. We expanded our program in 2022 with an additional Legacy Grant from the Legacy Foundation of Wood County. Our program is based upon the Adolescent Diversion Project developed by Michigan State University. ADP is an 18-26 week intervention program whose mission is to reduce the number of youth who intersect with the youth justice system. ADP embodies the Kids at Hope principle of ‘All kids are capable of success, no exceptions!’ 

What does ADP Do?

ADP builds upon the strengths of a youth by focusing on solutions rather than problems, reinforcing positive behaviors and modeling a non-blaming approach for youth, parental caretakers, school staff and community members. The case manager develops goals with the youth, their caregivers, and other supports and creates a weekly plan to help the youth and family build the skills needed to achieve their goals by the conclusion of the program. 

A youth worker intensely works with a youth for approximately four hours each week, helping the youth learn several positive behavior skills that align with their personal goals including:

LEO Program tools including:

• Higher Brain/Lower Brain Awareness
• Pause, Delay and Ask Questions
• OUCH Tool
• Higher Brain Communication
• Self-Worth

Behavior Intervention tools including:

• Thinking Traps
• Decision Making
• Overcoming Automatic Responses
• Problem-Solving

Caregivers play an active role in the program by helping to monitor youth progress, connecting weekly with the case manager, and learning LEO tools alongside their child. In addition, the youth worker helps the youth and family connect to community resources, positive peer networks, creative activities, and volunteer opportunities.