Title
Youth Diversion Program Interlocal Agreement
Action
Action:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute a revenue interlocal agreement with Mecklenburg County through which the city will receive funding to support youth diversion programming.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Rebecca Hefner, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Raquishela Stewart, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Explanation
§ The North Carolina General Assembly charges counties with establishing Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils (JCPC) to plan, organize, and evaluate local programs designed to help prevent or mitigate youth involvement in the justice system. These programs focus on prevention, intervention, treatment, and aftercare strategies and programs to support youth, strengthen families, and promote community safety.
§ Each year, the Mecklenburg County JCPC receives funds for this purpose from the state of North Carolina. The JCPC partners with local agencies through a Request for Proposals process to provide youth services utilizing these state funds.
§ On April 2, 2025, the JCPC proposed allocating $240,000 of their state funds to support the city’s Office of Youth Opportunities fiscal year 2026 Youth Diversion Program (Program), marking the fourteenth year of the city’s partnership with Mecklenburg County to provide these services. The JCPC allocation was approved by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners on April 15, 2025.
§ Diversion is an alternative to arrest for young people while maintaining accountability for unlawful actions and supporting efforts to redirect behavior.
- Youth who have committed first time, minor offenses are referred to the Program by school resource officers, patrol officers, and court counselors from the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.
- After successful completion of the Program, charges are dismissed.
§ Program services include interpersonal skill building, conflict resolution, substance awareness, academics, and career development plan workshops. Parental skills training is provided to the parents/guardians of Program participants.
§ After completing the Program, the assigned school resource officer provides ongoing, weekly check-ins with the Program participants to reinforce key lessons and ensure continued progress.
§ Grant funding supports delivery of the Program to approximately 400 youth annually. To date, the Program has served more than 5,000 youth, over 86 percent of whom did not recidivate within 12 months after program completion.
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Grants Fund
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Resolution
Draft Interlocal Agreement