Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) awarded the first Family-Based Alternative Sentencing grant to Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Office of Children and Youth Services, in December 2021. Lehigh County’s program is implemented by the multidisciplinary, Family-Based Alternative Sentencing Team (FAST), which includes the county’s Office of the District Attorney, Office of the Public Defender, Office of Children and Youth Services, Office of Mental Health, Office of Intellectual Disabilities, Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Juvenile Probation Department, and Adult Probation and Parole Department; the Lehigh County Jail; Lehigh Valley Pretrial Services; and two community-based organizations, Salvation Army Children’s Services and Pinebrook Family Answers. The FAST program provides case management and trauma-informed services for caregivers who otherwise would enter the criminal justice system. Their program is scheduled to start July 1, 2022.
Washtenaw County, Michigan
Washtenaw County is a recipient of FY 2022 funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Family-Based Alternative Sentencing program. Washtenaw County's program is led by the court, which will, in collaboration with the prosecutor's and public defender's offices, provide a pre-plea diversion program for parents/primary caregivers, ages 12 to 25, who are defendants in eligible misdemeanor and felony cases. Participants will be referred to the Corner Health Center (the Corner), a grant subrecipient that will work with participants to create an individualized, customized, holistic service plan to address their health needs. Plans may include behavioral-health assessments, individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric services. The Corner also provides primary medical services, and participants and their children will be connected with a primary-care physician (and obstetrical care, if needed). Plans may also include referrals to educational services, community resources, and mentorship programs. Upon successful completion of the program, all charges will be dismissed.
Fulton County, Georgia
Fulton County is a recipient of FY 2022 funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Family-Based Alternative Sentencing program. The Fulton County District Attorney's Crimes Against Children Unit and Adult Diversion Unit are collaborating to strengthen the emotional, physical, and social well-being of court-exposed parents and their children. Program participants are connected to Families First, a community-based organization that provides trauma-informed therapy and supportive services for children and parents. Additionally, case managers will provide supervision under the Adult Diversion Program Unit. Case-supervision goals will focus on restoring the family unit using rehabilitative services such as crisis management & coping skills.
Sunrise Health Clinic, Las Vegas
Sunrise Health Clinics is a recipient of FY 2022 funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Family-Based Alternative Sentencing program. Sunrise is an integrated health clinic that uses a wraparound, three-tier model of care to restore people to their highest level of functioning. Sunrise's Family First program rehabilitates justice-involved families, with the goals of keeping families intact and alleviating the stress and burden on children that comes from parental incarceration. "Using a moral focus" curriculum comprising daily classes, wellness and family therapy, and direct in-home interventions, this nine-step program focuses on learning concepts and applying skills to prevent recidivism and support family unification.
