§ 42-72-33. Youth diversion program.
(a) There is created in the department of children, youth, and families, the youth diversion program, a community-based program providing outreach and advocacy services to youth between the ages of nine (9) and seventeen (17), who may be the subject of a family court petition or at risk for committing wayward or disobedient acts including truancy, running away, and violation of school rules. Referrals to the youth diversionary program shall be served for a maximum of ninety (90) days and include, but are not limited to, the following services:
(1) An assessment of the needs of the child and family;
(2) Development of a plan and provision of services to include educational and vocational support services and employment linkages;
(3) Counseling;
(4) Family mediation;
(5) Crisis intervention;
(6) Advocacy on the child’s behalf with schools, police, employment resources and other community agencies;
(7) Short-term respite limited to three (3) days during crisis periods; and
(8) Follow-up and after-care services as needed.
(b) In considering competitive proposals to establish local programs, the department will give priority to agencies that:
(1) Are part of a municipal government or nonprofit, local-based agencies;
(2) Have established a local advisory board representative of local government, police, schools, and youth-serving agencies;
(3) Locate in communities that have a juvenile-arrest rate that exceeds the most recently available statewide average juvenile-arrest rate;
(4) Collaborate with surrounding communities where the juvenile population may be too small to require a full-time program; and
(5) Coordinate with other youth-serving agencies and programs in the local community.
(c) Prior to a hearing on a petition alleging a first offense wayward or disobedient act as defined above, the family court shall ensure that a referral has been made to the appropriate local youth diversion program. A report by that program shall be submitted to the court at least one week prior to the adjudication hearing. The report shall identify the problems in the family, services provided, progress, and outcomes of the services, and recommendations for future intervention. The report shall become a part of the record and be used by the family court in disposing of the petition.
History of Section.P.L. 1990, ch. 336, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 42 - State Affairs and Government
Chapter 42-72 - Department of Children, Youth and Families
Section 42-72-1. - Establishment of department — Director.
Section 42-72-2. - Declaration of policy.
Section 42-72-3. - Definitions.
Section 42-72-4. - Qualifications and duties of director.
Section 42-72-5. - Powers and scope of activities.
Section 42-72-5.1. - Adoption of children placed under foster care.
Section 42-72-5.2. - Development of a continuum of children’s behavioral health programs.
Section 42-72-5.3. - Accreditation.
Section 42-72-6. - Deputies and administrators.
Section 42-72-7. - Central registry.
Section 42-72-8. - Confidentiality of records.
Section 42-72-9. - Regional service centers.
Section 42-72-10. - Development of service plan.
Section 42-72-11. - Protective services.
Section 42-72-13. - Liability for support of committed children.
Section 42-72-14. - Voluntary admissions.
Section 42-72-15. - Children’s bill of rights.
Section 42-72-16. - Transfer of powers from department of human services.
Section 42-72-17. - Transfer of functions from department of corrections.
Section 42-72-17.1. - Location of facilities.
Section 42-72-19. - Transfer of functions from department of community affairs.
Section 42-72-20. - Transfer determinations.
Section 42-72-21. - Continuity of administrative functions.
Section 42-72-22. - Reorganization within department.
Section 42-72-23. - Preservation of rights and remedies.
Section 42-72-25. - Relations with other governmental agencies.
Section 42-72-26. - Assumption of duties.
Section 42-72-27. - Liberal construction.
Section 42-72-28. - Severability.
Section 42-72-29. - Appropriation for expenses.
Section 42-72-29.1. - Annual increases for children’s residential programs.
Section 42-72-30. - Family and children trust program.
Section 42-72-31. - Judge Angelo G. Rossi Memorial Building.
Section 42-72-33. - Youth diversion program.
Section 42-72-34. - Withholding services.
Section 42-72-35. - Change of title and name.
Section 42-72-36. - Residential placement capacity.
Section 42-72-36.1. - System reform and rebalancing goal.
Section 42-72-36.2. - Recommendations as to allocation of resources.