In 2018, the San Mateo County Probation Department partnered with the City of San Mateo Police Department and their Police Activities League (PAL) for a juvenile diversion program, targeting at-risk youth ages 11-17 years old. This 6-month program provides youth with individualized plans to address a youth’s deviant behavior through a multidisciplinary team comprised of a full time Deputy Probation Officer, a juvenile detective, a clinician and a case worker from the local YMCA. What makes the San Mateo diversion program unique is its wholistic approach to not only address at-risk youth behavior but also family dynamics with parents and caregivers. Parents of youth that are enrolled in the program are connected to the San Mateo County Probation Department’s own parenting program that aims to strengthen family bonds by providing parents with skills and tools that assist them in appropriately managing the behavior of their teens while encouraging adolescent growth toward independence and self-sufficiency.

Hear about the youth diversion program directly from some of the participants, by clicking on the link here: https://youtu.be/m4TS_fdkHSU