School-based Diversion Programs Start for 2021/22 School Year

Hamilton County Juvenile Court partners with local school districts to divert youth from formal processing in the juvenile justice system through school-based diversion dockets. Juvenile Court  hearing officers work with referred youth, their families, school staff and service providers to address barriers to school attendance and positive behavior. These diversion teams then develop a plan to build skills and strengths in students. Referrals address complaints alleging truancy; school-based discipline issues, such as disorderly conduct charges as a result of school fights; and Failure to Send a Child to School charges filed on adult parents. Youth and families are referred to identified services and/or issued restorative sanctions to complete, such as community service, in lieu of formal processing.

New to this school year: Sycamore Community Schools, Mariemont City Schools and Loveland City Schools are teaming up with the Court to offer a school-based diversion program in the community. Hearings will take place at the City of Montgomery Safety Center.

Other school-based dockets will continue this school year. Partnering schools and districts include Northwest Local School District, Aiken High School and Cincinnati Public Schools, Winton Woods City School District, and Oak Hills Local School District.