Waukesha County’s Diversion Program for Young Offenders.

2009 Annual Report

Mission: 180º Juvenile Diversion offers a second chance for young offenders who are in or may enter the criminal justice system. The program helps young adults understand the consequences of their actions and gives them an opportunity to change their behavior by becoming constructive members of the community. By using research-based methods and by working with families and the wider community, the program provides our clients with healthy and positive examples. Strong

families, safe lifestyles, and personal responsibility are the values we seek to instill.

2009 BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

Anthony Cotton (President) Attorney Kuchler & Cotton Law Paula Decker Juvenile Education Director Ethan Allen School Carolyn Hahn Events Manager Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce Marcia Jante Director Waukesha County UW Extension Sue Opper Assistant District Attorney Office of the District Attorney Andrea Will Assistant District Attorney Office of the District Attorney Peter Wolff Attorney Wolff & Sonderhouse LLP Charles Wood Captain Waukesha County Metro Drug Enforcement Unit

Dear Friends,

180° Juvenile Diversion’s pilot year has been extremely productive as we worked to build Waukesha County’s youth diversion program. Combining education, case management and community service to resolve areas of concern outside the justice system, our program helps rehabilitate first-time young offenders while suspending formal criminal justice proceedings. If clients successfully complete the program, their charges may be reduced or dropped, depending on arrangements with the Office of the District Attorney. Beginning in fall 2008, AmeriCorps VISTA members with Waukesha County UW Extension began researching effective methods for juvenile diversion. This included reviewing existing research as well as contacting the directors of programs across the United States in order to find best practices of diversion. With the help of UW Extension, our program was able to utilize resources at numerous levels — city, county, state and national. These resources allowed us to create a program and eventually form an incorporated non-profit organization. We officially began accepting clients in February 2009, with our first class session starting in April. After the pilot group wrapped up, we started our second session of participants in August, with our third beginning in early November. We continue to thoroughly evaluate our program to make improvements, when needed, as we move forward. One of the most important components of our program — and what makes it so unique — is that our curriculum and methods of diversion are 100 percent evidence-based. Everything about 180° Juvenile Diversion, from program length to the amount of volunteer hours participants must complete, is structured based on what has been proven to be effective in reducing recidivism among young adults. Looking back at 2009, we had many successes that we can build on in the upcoming year. I want to personally thank all of our volunteers, board members and community partners. Without everyone’s help, we could not have been as successful as we have been. Please take a look through this annual report to see the progress that we have made. - Brian Scarberry, Executive Director

A message from the Executive Director...

515 W. Moreland Boulevard Administration Center, G46

Waukesha, WI 53188 Tel. (262) 548-7780 Fax (262) 896-8124

180juvenilediversion@waukeshacounty.gov 2 180° Juvenile Diversion

“I never had a lot of people to trust in my life, but I know I can turn to the 180º staff and not be judged.” - Client testimonial

Elizabeth Amaya, Waukesha State Bank Juana Avila, UW Extension Steve Boldt, Wells Fargo Bank James Boling, UW Waukesha Steve Chmielewski, UW Extension Deb Deuster, Workforce Development Center Laura Dombrock, UW Extension Gabriel Gardener, AmeriCorps VISTA Nicole Grinnell, School District of Waukesha Wanda Harkins, Wells Fargo Bank Martha Hubert, UW Extension Renee Kemp, Workforce Development Center

Det. Jim Kindt, Metro Drug Enforcement Unit Jack Koehler, Koehler & Co. Ray Lilley, CORE Strength Academy Maura McMahon, Public Defender’s Office Margaret Millspaw, UW Waukesha Tom Mueller, Workforce Development Center Debbie O’Brien, UW Extension Shannon Rokosik, Carroll University Brian Scarberry, 180° Executive Director Rebecca Scott, CORE Strength Academy Dr. Tricia Wessel-Blaski, UW Waukesha Anne Wondra, WonderSpirit Coaching

Sometimes all it takes is a second chance to turn a life around…

180° Juvenile Diversion not only gives youth an opportunity to have their charges reduced or dropped, but also builds positive support systems and behavioral changes that will last a lifetime. Through this program, young people are allowed to earn a second chance. The research-based program is built on a foundation of family and community involvement, proven methods of diversion programs from across the U.S. and a solid network of city, county, state and national partnerships. It is a holistic, nine-month process that includes the following components:

• 72 hours of curriculum and life skills classes • A minimum of 40 hours of community service • Six months of case management

• Life skills training • Drug testing • Restorative justice initiatives

Providing valuable life skills…

The 24-session formal class focuses on effective communication, alcohol and drug education, building competencies and strengthening family relationships. In addition, community speakers assist participants with life skills such as:

Making the community a better place…

180° Juvenile Diversion gives youth the opportunity to engage in their community through service hours, providing a chance for them to make amends. Success of this program will result in fewer caseloads within the criminal justice system and the saving of taxpayer money. Because the program emphasizes education and career development and advises participants on how to avoid drugs and alcohol, youth are able to utilize their strengths to benefit the community at large.

at a glance...

Program Overview

Thank you to our volunteer teachers!

3 180° Juvenile Diversion

“Knowing that I have a lot of support outside my family is the best, seeing as how I met

friends and gained relationships from this program.”

- Client testimonial

• Paving the way to higher education • Career development • Nutrition & wellness

• Financial management & education • Effects of drugs & alcohol • Navigating the criminal justice system

2009 Financial Report

Revenue

Enrollment Fees $ 18,825

Grants/Donations $ 14,175

TOTAL REVENUE: $ 33,000

Expenditures

Operating/Personnel $ 35,776

TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $ 35,776

In-kind Contributions*

Executive Director $ 33,000

UW Extension Personnel $ 25,319

Student Intern—Carroll University $ 7,884

Board of Directors $ 6,000

Office Space—UW Extension $ 5,782

Class Facilitators $ 4,749

Classroom Space—UW Waukesha $ 5,232

Guest Speakers $ 4,397

Advisory Board $ 836

TOTAL IN-KIND $ 87,967

Community Development Block Grant $ 8,000

Hon. Marianne E. Becker Fund $ 2,000

Waukesha County Bar Association $ 2,000

Wisconsin Law Foundation $ 2,000

Golden K Kiwanis Club $ 150

Early Risers Kiwanis Club $ 25

TOTAL $ 14,175

Grants & Donations

5 180° Juvenile Diversion

Addiction Resource Council AmeriCorps VISTA Carroll University

CORE Strength Academy Criminal Justice Collaborating Council

Department of Health & Human Services Drug Free Communities Coalition

La Casa de Esperanza Mediation & Restorative Justice Center

Office of the District Attorney Office of the State Public Defender

School District of Waukesha SOPHIA

UW Waukesha Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce

Waukesha County Executive’s Office Waukesha County Juvenile Court

Waukesha County Metro Drug Enforcement Unit Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department

Waukesha County UW Extension Waukesha Police Department

Waukesha State Bank Wisconsin Community Services

WonderSpirit Coaching Workforce Development Center

A special thanks to our community partners...

4 180° Juvenile Diversion

*Wisconsin volunteer rate is $18.77/hour. Professional service volunteers calculated according to average wages per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Milwaukee Metro Area.

Budget

Thank you to our 2009 donors!

57% Participant

Fees

18% Local Grants

24% CDBG

1% Donations

2009 Revenue

Elizabeth Amaya Waukesha State Bank Dennis Angle Waukesha Police Department Sam Benedict State Public Defender’s Office D.J. Blum Workforce Development Center James Boling UW Waukesha Bill Deering Waukesha Co. Sheriff’s Department Dr. Tim Fiedler Carroll University Kelly Haag Wisconsin Juvenile Court Ray Lilley CORE Strength Academy Rebecca Luczaj Crim. Justice Collaborating Council Polina Makievsky La Casa de Esperanza Todd McDonell Dept. of Health & Human Services Maura McMahon State Public Defender’s Office Michael Nowak Waukesha South High School Claudia Roska Addiction Resource Council Brad Schimel District Attorney Jan Skell UW Extension Jennifer Thomas Hon. Patrick Haughney’s Office

ADVISORY BOARD

MEMBERS:

Working together...

Advisory Board members serve as

professional advisors to the content of

180° Juvenile Diversion. We would like

to thank all of the people who helped

get the program off and running in

2009!

5 180° Juvenile Diversion

180° Juvenile Diversion is proud to take an active role in improving the lives of young people across Waukesha County. We are grateful for the support we receive from our community partners.

Referrals into the program…

The Office of the District Attorney continues to be the top referral source for clients entering the program, with a significant number coming from private attorneys as well. In 2009, 180° received a total of 73 referrals from the following sources:

Referrals to local organizations...

180° Juvenile Diversion utilizes the resources provided by various community agencies, referring clients for services when necessary. Drug Testing: 180° partners with La Casa de Esperanza clinic and Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) in administering drug tests for clients. Tests are at random and vary depending on the needs of the participant. Treatment/Counseling: Some of our clients are in need of alcohol and other drug abuse treatment or other forms of counseling. As a result, staff made 11 referrals over the last year to organizations such as the Addiction Resource Council, Wisconsin Narcotics Anonymous, James Place and several others. Continuing Education: Program staff encour-aged eight clients to enroll in continuing education, for those who were not already enrolled in school. This included two participants pursuing their GEDs and others taking classes at UW Waukesha, Carroll University, Waukesha County Technical College and Milwaukee Area Technical College. Restorative Justice: In some cases, the crimes committed by 180° Juvenile Diversion clients have had a direct impact on people other than themselves. When this is the case, program staff refer participants to the Mediation and Restorative Justice Center at WCS for victim-offender conferencing. Offenders are given the opportunity to meet with those they have harmed and make things right. In 2009, clients paid back a total of $546.52 in restitution for their crimes. Other Needs: Some clients expressed needs for advisement in other areas, so 180° staff made additional referrals for resources such as budgeting, financial aid, food assistance, mental health, emergency housing and employment assistance.

Coach Ray Lilley works with clients at

CORE Strength Academy in Hartland.

Office of the DA 62% Private Attorneys 26% Public Defenders 6% Parents 4% Health & Human Services 1% Media 1%

Program Staff:

Brian Scarberry, Executive Director (Volunteer) bscarberry@waukeshacounty.gov

Stephanie Sutton, Case Manager ssutton@waukeshacounty.gov

Steve Bailey, AmeriCorps VISTA sbailey@waukeshacounty.gov

Laurie Donnell, AmeriCorps VISTA ldonnell@waukeshacounty.gov

To contact staff, call (262) 548-7780.

Program Impact

6 180° Juvenile Diversion

“I honestly think that the 180 program really helped me wake up to the fact that a drug habit would not get me anywhere.”

- Client testimonial

Sometimes all it takes is a second chance to turn a life around.

Learning life skills...

180° Juvenile Diversion relies heavily on guest speakers, who share their expertise with participants. Over the last year, clients learned:

• How to apply for and succeed in college from staff at UW Waukesha

• Financial management, investment and budgeting advice from Waukesha State Bank and Wells Fargo

• Information on drugs and legal consequences from the Waukesha Co. Metro Drug Enforcement Unit

• Career development and resume building from the Workforce Development Center and Koehler & Co., a recruitment firm

• Stretching physical and mental limits at CORE Strength Academy

• Navigating the court system from the Office of the Public Defender

• Nutrition and wellness from UW Extension nutrition educators

• Life skills and setting goals from WonderSpirit Coaching

Our evaluations have found that youth have responded to these life skills speakers very positively, viewing them as insightful and valuable resources.

Immediate results…

Out of 73 referrals, 41 participants have been accepted into 180° Juvenile Diversion to date*. Thirty-six of those have either successfully completed the program or are slated to do so. This translates into an 88% success rate.

One of the program’s expectations is for parents to be involved. In 2009, 36 parents from 27 families actively participated in the program’s class portion. Overall, 66% of clients had one or more of their parents attend class.

Through their community service efforts, program clients contributed 391 volunteer hours in 2009.

*180° Juvenile Diversion is a voluntary program, so not all referrals result in entry to the program.

Evaluation reports…

180° Juvenile Diversion has implemented a rigorous evaluation process based on feedback from program participants. Some of the highlights from these evaluations included:

• 90% of parents reported that their families have seen an increased ability to listen to each others’ thoughts and feelings since starting the class.

• 86% of participants said they felt more support from people outside their families than they did prior to beginning the program.

• 80% of clients reported learning more about alcoholism and chemical dependency.

• Over 70% said that the program helped them build relationships with their families.

Looking ahead…

Although overall the past year has been extremely positive, there are still some things that we would like to build on. Toward the top of our list of priorities is developing a mentorship program, with the help of AmeriCorps VISTA members at UW Extension. 180° Juvenile Diversion continues to need your support. If you would like to serve as a volunteer facilitator, speaker or make a donation, please contact program staff.