Intensive Delinquency Diversion Services
2600 SW 4th Ave
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33315
Phone: 954-467-5943
Fax: 954-467-5941

Overview

The Intensive Delinquency Diversion Services Program provides an intensive array of community-based supervision and monitoring, case management, educational, therapeutic and supportive services to first-time youthful offenders and their families in Broward County. The program holds youths accountable for making monetary, in-kind, or community service restitution for the victims’ losses. Admitted youths have been assessed to be at high risk of becoming serious and habitual offenders. Staff contacts each youth in person at least three times per week and the youth’s parents, school, and any other community agency providing services at least once per week. The anticipated length of participation for each youth in the program is 5 to 7 months. The actual length of participation is determined by attainment of goals set forth in each youth’s Individual Performance Contract. The program has a daily capacity to serve up to 189 youths.

Objective

The purpose of the program is to intervene early in the lives of a targeted group of first-time youthful offenders and their families with an intensive level of services in order to prevent the commission of additional offenses. Additionally, it is the intent of the program to divert the youths served from entering the judicial system or from further involvement with the juvenile justice system.

Population Served

The Intensive Delinquency Diversion Services Program serves Broward County youths who were arrested for non-violent delinquent acts and who are referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice with the concurrence of the State Attorney’s Office. Youths and their families participate voluntarily in lieu of prosecution for delinquency.

Other Admission Criteria

Youths must have been assessed to be at high risk of becoming serious and habitual offenders, demonstrating factors such as:

· First offense prior to age 16
· Poor school performance and truancy
· Lack of parental supervision
· Substance abuse
· Stealing
· Running away from home
· Gang affiliation or association with deviant peers

Fees & Charges

Intensive Delinquency Diversion Services charges no fees to youths or their families for the services provided. Funding for services is provided under contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Services in Detail

· Youth and family assessment
· Individual treatment planning
· Case management
· Community supervision
· Community service work/restitution
· Victim services and awareness
· Monitoring of sanctions, school attendance and performance
· Referral and follow-up for mental health and addiction services
· Referral and follow-up for substance abuse evaluation/urinalysis monitoring
· Individual, family, and group counseling
· Group educational services, including social skill enhancement, job readiness and prevocational skills classes for youth and parent/partner classes
· Referral and follow up for vocational services

Hours of Operation

Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency on-call: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The program is open on all holidays that do not fall on Sunday.