SHORTSTOP - A Juvenile Crime Diversion Program

SHORTSTOP is a unique juvenile crime diversion program of the Orange County Bar Foundation (OCBF) which was developed in 1980 for first time juvenile offenders and their families. The program is taught in both English and in Spanish and is a cost-effective alternative to prosecution. SHORTSTOP teaches the offenders to take responsibility for their actions through decision-making strategies designed to result in positive future choices. With a 95% success rate, SHORTSTOP breaks the cycle that turns young people into repeat offenders by using three simple concepts: reach youth early, involve the parents, and use a graphic courtroom setting with legal professionals and actual prisoners.

Juvenile offenders, 11-17 years of age and their parents participate in two sessions held at night in an Orange County courtroom where volunteer attorneys and legal professionals dramatically present the "legal facts of life".

The Orange County Bar Foundation (OCBF) is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization committed to keeping at-risk youth out of jail, in school, healthy and drug free through education, counseling and mentoring. OCBF has been a leader in the field of juvenile crime diversion and citizenship education for over 30 years consistently achieving positive results in the community we serve.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• SHORTSTOP
• Juvenile
• Crime
• Diversion
• Program
• OCBF
• Prevention