WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

• We are a local program that addresses unlawful behavior, supports victims of crime & promotes a healthy community.

• Court Diversion is the community alternative to court for first offenders in Washington County.

• Our volunteer boards hear both adult and juvenile cases referred from court by the state's attorney.

• We also administer the Alcohol Safety Program (ASP), a program created by the legislature in 2000 to deal with a crackdown in enforcement of underage drinking laws.

Our philosophy is that ordinary citizens who volunteer their time and energy are more effective in confronting those who have committed crimes than our court system can be, especially the first time an offender is charged with an illegal act. Our volunteers have the same perspective as those who are victimized by illegal acts, and they are committed to:

OUR GOALS, WHICH ARE TO:

• see that the victim is made whole to the extent possible through the offender’s restitution, apology or service.

• see that the community is compensated through service by the offender for the harm it has suffered;

• help the offender realize the true human consequences and impact of his or her actions; and

• direct the offender toward activities that will increase his or her chances of being crime free in the future.

IN FY 07 (July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007):

• We received 205 referrals to Diversion and 369 referrals to ASP, for a total of 574 clients served in the period.

• Our clients performed 5466 hours of community service to various non-profit organizations in this county, including but not limited to the Kellogg Hubbard Library, Montpelier Food Pantry, Heaton Woods Assisted Living, Hubbard Park, Washington County Youth Service Bureau, and local faith organizations and school systems..

• Restitution paid back to crime victims totaled $7841, while donations to charities amounted to $3351, which comes to $11,192 for the year.

SINCE THE BEGINNING

• Since Diversion’s inception in this county in 1982, Diversion clients have successfully paid back their victims and the community for their offenses and have been given a fresh start with a clean record, with a total of 1383 crime victims having received compensation totaling over $340,000.

FUNDING
As a community based, non-profit program and United Way Agency in FY 07, Diversion got 50% of its funds from the Attorney General’s office, 32% from client fees, 6% from United Way and the remaining 12% from other local sources like towns and cities. Our total cost per case last year was $290.00 for each of 574 referrals. That is hundreds of dollars less per case than any alternative where the offender goes to court.