Juvenile Diversion
Contact
Carrie Hastreiter
Administrator
Phone: 402-563-4965
Vanessa Oceguera
Bilingual
Phone: 402-563-4970
Location
Comprehensive Juvenile Services/Diversion Program
Platte County Juvenile Services Center
Platte County Courthouse, North Side
Address
1465 27th Avenue
Columbus, NE 68601
Phone: 402-563-4965
Fax: 402-562-6178
Links
Contact
The mission of the Platte Valley Diversion Program is to provide an alternative rehabilitation and education program for eligible juvenile offenders in order to give youth the opportunity to become successful and productive citizens.
The Platte County Time for Change (T4C) Anti-Gang Coalition aims to unite youth, families, and community partners in the prevention and intervention of youth involved in gang activity.
The attendance monitor is responsible for daily monitoring youth for attendance issues to improve attendance at school. Referral sources include all schools within Platte County. There is no cost for this service.
Financial Assistance
No youth will be denied services for lack of payment. Contact the Juvenile Diversion Office for details regarding financial assistance
Eligibility
The Platte Valley Diversion Program (PVDP) is designed for offenders ages 11-17. Eligibility is limited to persons referred by the county attorney who have been charged with an ordinance, infraction, or misdemeanor violation.
Who might qualify to participate in the diversion program a second time?
Determination is made by the county attorney in conjunction with the diversion program administrator.
Diversion Process
- Youth receives a citation from law enforcement.
- County attorney receives reports from law enforcement.
- County attorney determines if youth is diversion eligible and makes referral.
- Diversion staff receives a copy of referral forms.
- Parent or juvenile contacts the Diversion Office to schedule a pre-assessment.
- Diversion staff determines the level of services depending on type of offense and pre-assessment outcome.
- Diversion staff contacts parent regarding the level of diversion their child must enroll in.
- Diversion intake is scheduled.
- Upon successful completion of all program requirements, the juvenile case is dismissed and the case is sealed.
Benefits of Successful Diversion Completion
- No appearance in juvenile/criminal court
- Improved personal responsibility and social skills through program opportunities
- Additional supervision to assist parents
- Monitoring of academic performance, providing encouragement for improvement
- Detailed program service plan to assist with program goals
- Community service in lieu of court fines
- Increased parental involvement
- Restitution where applicable
- Referral services for behavioral and substance abuse counseling when needed
Services
Youth Activity Scholarship
We understand many children have a desire to play sports and participate in other youth activities but have a financial situation that may hinder them from doing so. With that, we offer this activity scholarship to help eligible youth cover enrollment fees to be able to participate in those fun activities!
Triumph Builders Club
Wanna throw some hands? Look no further than this awesome boxing club directed by Mariano Menendez. If you have a middle school student and would like to enhance your body, mind, and spirit, this is for you!
Back-to-School Supplies
Need some help with school supplies? Don’t worry about it! Contact our office or your school guidance office for assistance with supplies. (Limited quantity, while supplies last).
Requirements
nrollment Time
Up to 60 days
Classes
- Why Try Class
- Alive @ 25 (if applicable)
- SAAC (if applicable)
- Online courses (if applicable)
Examples of Eligible Offenses
- Curfew
- Fireworks
- Littering
- Minor in possession of tobacco/vape
- Careless driving
- Driving without a headlight
- Exhibition of acceleration
- Failure to yield/stop
- Following too closely
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- No operator’s license
- No registration
- Provisional operator’s permit violation
- Racing on a roadway
- Reckless driving
- Seat belt violation
- Speeding
- Traffic signal
- Violation of learner’s permit
- Violation of school permit
- Use of vapor products
Pending the information provided in the law enforcement report, Tier 1 offenses could be moved to Tier 2.
Enrollment Time
12 weeks
Classes
- Why Try
- Social Boundaries
(if applicable) - SAAC (if applicable)
- Online courses (if applicable)
Examples of Eligible Offenses
- 3 rd -degree arson
- Criminal mischief
- Contributing to a delinquency of a minor
- Discharge firearms in city limits
- Disorderly conduct
- Disturbing the peace
- False reporting
- Graffiti
- Obstruction of police officer
- Shoplifting
- Substance offenses
- Aiding and abetting a minor in possession
- Minor in consumption
- Minor in possession of alcohol
- Possession of marijuana
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Open container
- Procuring alcohol for a minor
- Zero toleranceTheftTrespassing
-
Unauthorized use of vehicle
Pending the information provided in the law enforcement report, Tiers could be moved to the next level.
Enrollment Time
14 weeks
Classes
- Why Try
- Social Boundaries (if applicable)
- SAAC (if applicable)
- Online courses (if applicable)
Examples of Eligible Offenses
- Truancy
- Tier 1 repeat offender
- Youth at high risk in need of higher level of supervision or care as indicated by the Youth Level of Service (YLS) assessment
Other offenses are determined by the county attorney in conjunction with the diversion program administrator.
Courthouse
Address
2610 14th Street
Columbus, NE 68601
Hours
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday