Building capacity for equitable juvenile diversion outcomes: Qualitative interviews on equitable, strengths-based outcomes for youth

• In Event: Centering the Perspectives and Strengths of Youth and Communities Impacted by the Justice System

Abstract

Diversion programs redirect youth away from justice system involvement, creating accountability with minimal system engagement. Yet, many diversion programs inadvertently retain a deficit focus by seeking to prevent negatives outcomes, rather than promoting positive development. Given racial inequities in justice contact, attention to equitable access to positive outcomes is also vital. We partnered with the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Pre-Trial Diversion Program to explore holistic, equitable youth outcomes in diversion.
We will conduct qualitative interviews with youth and family members who are directly impacted, and diversion program staff members. We will use deductive and inductive coding approaches, and iterative, dialogue-based processes for theme development. The data collection and analysis will be guided by a local community advisory group (CAG).
We will analyze interview data in Spring 2024 to identify common and divergent themes on strengths-based youth outcomes in diversion. In collaboration with the CAG, we will synthesize findings to recommend what strengths-based outcomes and measures diversion programs can collect about justice-involved youth.
Our study elevates the perspectives of impacted youth, their families, the community members, and staff who work with them to envision a diversion program that works beyond recidivism reduction. Implications for measurement, practice, and policy will be discussed.

Authors

• Emily Melluso, American Institutes for Research

• Namita Tanya Padgaonkar, American Institutes for Research

• Maura Shramko, American Institutes for Research

• Yongqiu (Charlotte) Chen, American Institutes for Research

• Vivie Satorsky, American Institutes for Research