Diversion Programs- ROSA and Raices

Diversion Programs

As a parent, you may have been contacted by Latino Network or Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC) letting you know your child has been referred to their agency because of an alleged law violation. Washington County Juvenile Department has partnered with Latino Network and Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC) to provide an alternative to working with the Juvenile Department.

Participation in diversion programs are voluntary and agency staff work to support your family. Services are built around each individual youth. Youth who fail to complete the program, or who reoffend, are referred to the Juvenile Department.

We know from research that keeping a youth out of the juvenile justice system is better for them. In fact, studies have found that when youth who are at low risk to reoffend are placed in diversion programs, they reoffend 45% less than youth going through the court process and/or more serious consequences.[1]

ROSA

ROSA is a program aimed at addressing risky behaviors early on by supporting youth and families within the community. The program is for middle school aged youth ages 11-14 focusing on grades 6-8. The program accepts youth with any criminal charges except person-to-person felonies. Youth must be found to be at higher risk of reoffending to qualify for services. In addition, the program will continue to work with youth if they reoffend if they remain in the 11-14 age range and do not commit a person-to-person felony. The school system is also able to refer at-risk youth to ROSA. 

Services are provided by Latino Network and POIC and include skill building, goal setting, community service, restitution, or meeting with the victims, group outings, youth circles, and regular meetings with a coordinator. Youth who fail to complete the program are referred to the Juvenile Department.

Early results show youth who did successfully complete ROSA showed a greater decrease in risk levels (such as using drugs or skipping school) and a greater increase in protective factors (such as positive relationships with adults or participating in after-school activities) than youth who did not engage in services.

Raices Early Intervention Program

The Raices Early Intervention program was created in 2021 with the goal of keeping low-level first-time offenders from the juvenile justice system.  Raices works with all youth of any age with certain low-level offenses.