By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Diversion is a community-led approach founded on principles of youth well-being and restorative justice that serves as a successful alternative to traditional court involvement. In most cases, diversion programs cost less, are more effective at reducing recidivism, and avoid the harms that could result from formal court supervision. While most communities in Michigan offer some form of diversion from ju

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Research has demonstrated that youth involved in the juvenile justice system significantly benefit from community-based services. A report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation revealed that youth placed in community-oriented programs have a higher chance of graduating high school, securing employment, and avoiding re-arrest compared to those in residential facilities. In contrast, placement in juvenile just

By; Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Juvenile court debt reform has become a priority in Michigan and across the country, as the realization dawns that these fees are inconsistently imposed, fiscally ineffective, and disproportionately impact families of color. They also exacerbate poverty for indigent families. In Michigan, juvenile courts have the authority to charge various fees in delinquency proceedings, but these discretionary fees ar