In June 2023, in response to a huge increase in juvenile car theft and other crimes, the Monroe County Office of Probation—Community Corrections (MCOPCC)—which serves the area surrounding Rochester, New York—launched a program designed not only to ensure swift, certain, and fair accountability but also to prevent future incidents.

Called the Juvenile Enhanced Diversion Stabilization (JEDS) initiative, it combines a quick intake notification with increased probation officer engagement and services that can help young people redirect their lives, thereby reducing the number of those who participate in illegal activities.

In just six months since the program’s launch, the number of stolen vehicles reported in the city of Rochester plummeted from 377 to 144, and the incidents in surrounding towns and villages went from 175 to 62. According to Cynthia Smith, MCOPCC Assistant Chief Probation Officer, this drastic reduction in youth crime is largely due to the cooperative efforts of the MCOPCC JEDS initiative, local law enforcement, and community partners.

JEDS eliminates idle time

Under JEDS, Monroe County probation officers assigned to the Diversion Unit approach juvenile delinquency (JD) diversion cases differently. By starting their engagement with the youth early, providing critical services and working closely with them, probation officers reduce the likelihood of youths getting into more trouble, which benefits those who would have been victims of their crimes and the community as well.

Though the Office of Probation has long had an after-hours arrest notification system in place, this system, now coupled with police issuing "expedited appearance tickets" by email, ensures that an arrested youth can see a probation officer much sooner.

Said Assistant Chief Probation Officer Smith, “Historically, law enforcement agencies would send appearance tickets by snail mail. As a result, the period between arrest and initial contact with the youth and family could stretch into weeks, if not longer. This created periods of idle time and additional opportunities for potential re-offense.

“Now police email the information packet to our designated digital mailbox the same day or night of the arrest. This allows us to start working with the youth and the family—as well as the victim—right away.

“Whoever is on call when the ticket arrives contacts the parent to learn what led up to the youth’s arrest incident, then the matter is assigned to a probation officer who asks the family to come in the next day to begin the intake process. This starts the stabilization period.”

An assessment identifies critical needs

At the first meeting, the probation officer administers a strengths and needs assessment and reviews and evaluates the results with the child and their family. Additional assessments are conducted to determine various needs such as mental health supports and therapy.

“These needs assessments allow us to identify the areas of challenge and accessible strengths and link the youth and family to supportive programs,” Assistant Chief Probation Officer Smith said. “These can range from the most intense, such as electronic monitoring, if ordered by the court, or daily attendance to the Juvenile Reporting Center.”

Additional programs and services include referrals to a one-time juvenile justice seminar, conflict resolution through restorative initiatives, family counseling, cognitive behavioral interventions, and academic supports.

Recognizing that youth often became re-involved in the justice system because underlying familial issues and trauma have not been addressed, officers make efforts to facilitate access to support. This includes a comprehensive approach not only to the youth but also to the family as a whole.

“We want to understand what is going on at home, in the school, and the community with the youth,” said Assistant Chief Probation Officer Smith. “Families could be experiencing basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing deficits.

“During the initial meeting and ongoing contact with youth and their families, the officers increase their engagement and rapport. This enables them to create an appropriate case plan comprised of short and long-term goals moving forward. Youth are often connected to pro-social activities such as arts, music or sports programs that can foster increased positive peer connections, for instance.

“The officer helps the family connect to social services, food banks, or other resources as needed. In addition, there is a parent peer support program available to caregivers who may be experiencing challenges with the youth. In our office, we offer direct access to an educational liaison who can navigate academic concerns, as well as a Juvenile Justice Mental Health Coordinator for youth and families needing assistance in linking to mental health support.”

The focus is on immediate engagement and stabilization

With JEDS, the focus is on immediate engagement and stabilization. The officers are very active once they begin stabilization, having daily in-person or phone contact with the juvenile and their family, interrupting the cycle of delinquency, building rapport, and helping them continue their journey to a better path.

The officers also report on the status of the youth they are assigned to during a daily tactical case review. This daily meeting not only ensures that youth are linked to services and being held accountable but also re-emphasizes the officers’ responsibilities in communicating with families and providing follow-up and supports.

Asked how the officers reacted to JEDS, Assistant Chief Probation Officer Smith said, “Initially, because it was a new way of doing things, there was a learning curve. It took time to realize that the elimination of a gap in service delivery and consistency of engagement have a big impact on those we serve. Officers now continue to get to know the young person, and this frequent interaction provides additional insight, which enables coordination of services and successful outcomes. They are also able to see the impact their involvement has had on the young person.”

A marked decrease in the re-offense rate

She went on, “But we were really just building on what we were already doing, making it better. I call JEDS diversion on steroids. We’re more proactive, reducing gaps in contact and service delivery, diverting youth from going further into the juvenile justice system and being more intentional in everything we do.”

The re-offense rate for youth involved in diversion before the implementation of JEDS was approximately 32 percent. Since its implementation, more than 367 young people have participated—and the re-offense rate for them during stabilization is just 2 percent. The overall re-offense rate for youth who have participated in JEDS is 14 percent.

Asked for individual examples of JEDS success, Assistant Chief Probation Officer Smith said, “One young lady we helped recently contacted the officer to say she graduated from high school and is in a nursing program now. And a young man who was caught as a passenger in a stolen vehicle was linked to support programs and a mentor who assisted him in engaging in positive activities away from his former associates. He is now doing very well, on track to graduate this year and applying to colleges.

“With these interventions, providing needed services and support, we are working to assist police and other agencies, who have been great partners in this initiative. We are here to support them, as well as the youth, families, victims, and the entire community.”

Faye C. Elkins
Sr. Technical Writer
COPS Office

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