DIVERSIONfirst

Brief Description

DIVERSIONfirst connects youth who have committed their first non-violent, criminal occurrence to community and family supports, to help them build a foundation for a positive future away from crime. It’s a police-led program, which allows the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) to offer the youth and their supports a restorative justice approach, instead of a criminal charge.

Through the program, youth can identify areas in their life that may require more support, request guidance, or seek out an opportunity to better themselves. They then work toward repairing the harm they’ve caused. To do this, they fulfill a customized agreement plan that is youth focused. These agreement plans can include written and/or in-person apologies to victims, volunteer service and projects, and self-reflection projects that could include resume building, creative projects, job shadowing, skill development, art projects and more. Their agreement gives them a chance to make amends, become more pro-social, and make positive contributions to the community. DIVERSIONfirst helps youth recognize the connection between their behaviours and the harm caused to themselves, the community, family, and victim(s).

Goals

The main goals of the DIVERSIONfirst program are to:

• Divert youth from the criminal justice system
• Connect youth and their families to essential resources
• Support youth through a restorative approach to repair harm, build accountability, and envision a constructive future

Clientele

DIVERSIONfirst serves youth, ages 12-17, who have committed their first non-violent, criminal occurrence.

Core Components

The DIVERSIONfirst program through Boys and Girls Club Big Brothers Big Sisters (BGCBigs) is delivered in person with one coordinator and supported by an Edmonton Police Service (EPS) constable. EPS constables make a referral into the agency and the coordinator will contact the young person to conduct an interview. The intention of this interview is to understand a participant's strengths, resiliency, and natural supports so that, collectively, they can develop a plan that is both realistic for the participant, but which also responds to the severity of the crime and the harm that was caused. EPS rejoins at the conclusion circle to mark the completion of the agreement plan. A unique aspect to the programming is that, at the conclusion of the agreement plan, youth are invited to join other BGCBigs program options, so there is no hard end-date to the involvement with a young person and their family.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: Limited information on this topic.
• Partnerships: Pride Centre of Edmonton, Africa Centre, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, Recovery Alberta, Homeward Trust, Edmonton Police Service, YMCA of Northern Alberta, other community agencies in the city of Edmonton.
• Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

DIVERSIONfirst is a partnership between Edmonton Police Service, YMCA of Northern Alberta, and Boys and Girls Club Big Brothers Big Sisters. This partnership began in 2021. This program is implemented in Edmonton.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

No information available.

References

There is no Canadian reference available at this time.

For more information on this program, contact:

Website:

https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CommunityPolicing/CommunityInitiatives/YouthSupportBranch/DiversionFirst

Contact:

Michelle Fillion, Director, Service Delivery

Michelle.fillion@bgcbigs.ca