Juvenile Crime Prevention (JCP)

City Diversion Panels

At-risk youth with first-time misdemeanor offense charges or violations are referred to local diversion panels, which are made up of community residents/citizens in the youths’ home communities.  As part of this program, they receive pre and post risk assessments and are assigned community service corresponding to the charge against them.    Clackamas County’s Diversion Panels utilize an evidence-based restorative justice model endorsed by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which is intended to help the youth offenders understand the implication of their actions and in turn, provide an opportunity for them to become reconnected to their community.  Currently, there are diversion panels operating in eleven cities in Clackamas County.

State and other funding allocations to agencies serving justice involved youth have been reduced almost yearly since the initial plan to address juvenile crime prevention was submitted in 1998.  Despite this fact, the outcomes for youth involved in the County’s system have continued to improve over time and state data shows that while Clackamas County has the third largest juvenile population among Oregon counties, it has the lowest recidivism rate among the more populous counties, and one of the lowest rates overall.  This success can be attributed to the communication, collaboration, and partnership between the County and local agencies and organizations.  This teamwork increases the wraparound for youth and families in need and keeps them engaged using strengths-based principles.  
The JCP program contact in the Clackamas County Juvenile Department is Mark McDonnell 503-655-8342 extension 7115. 

Diversion Coordinators can be contacted at the local police departments:
•    Canby: Andrea Rohm 
•    Estacada: Ed Miller 
•    Gladstone: Robb Reed
•    Happy Valley: Ed Miller
•    Lake Oswego: Mel Olsen
•    Milwaukie: Robb Reed
•    Molalla: Dan Leighton 
•    Oregon City: Andrea Rohm
•    Sandy: Ed Miller
•    West Linn: Mel Olsen
•    Wilsonville: Mel Olsen

Committee:

Clackamas County Juvenile Crime Prevention Advisory Committee (JCPAC)
The JCP planning process is led by the local Juvenile Crime Prevention Advisory Committee and staffed by the Commission on Children and Families.  Its members currently represent several agencies, organizations, and community groups which include Clackamas County Juvenile Department, Oregon Youth Authority, State DHS, Clackamas County Community Behavioral Health Division, a local non-profit agency, local schools, Commission on Children and Families, and the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council.
 
JCPAC’s purpose is to make recommendations to the Juvenile Department, Commission on Children and Families, and Public Safety Coordinating Council about the service delivery continuum, which includes prevention, basic services and diversion. JCPAC also advises assessment, capacity, planning, implementation and evaluation of the high risk juvenile crime prevention system to address the service needs of targeted youth who exhibit:
•    Antisocial behavior
•    Poor family functioning or poor family support
•    Failure in school
•    Substance abuse problems
•    Negative peer association
•    At-risk behaviors that will lead to imminent involvement in the juvenile justice system.

Contact Korene Maceo 503-650-5683 for additional information.