The Family Assessment Department provides opportunities for first-time misdemeanor offenders, unruly-incorrigible youth and/or school truants to have their cases diverted from the traditional court process.

In collaboration with the Franklin County Juvenile Prosecutor’s office, the first-time misdemeanor offender is referred to the Family Assessment Unit.  Once interviewed and assessed, the youth is referred to community based or court-run programs. Programs are selected that can best meet the needs of the youth and family, impact the negative behaviors in a positive way, and provide information that allow youth to make better choices in the future. Referrals are received from the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, Juvenile Magistrates, schools andUNRULY AND INCORRIGIBLE YOUTH

Parents who are having difficulty with their son or daughter may make an appointment with an Family Assessment Staff member.  The parents and child meet with the staff member and attempt to resolve home conflicts and unruly or incorrigible  behaviors. The parents and youth may be referred to any number of community-based or Court-operated programs. The family is engaged with the program for a period of 90 days.  If behaviors do not improve, the youth maybe referred to the traditional Court system. Youth could be placed in the custody of Franklin County Children Services, and placed outside the home.

The mandatory school attendance laws of the State of Ohio include the parents’ responsibility to have their child in school.   If a parent fails to have their child in school, the parent can be held accountable, face criminal charges, and possible fines and a jail sentence.  A youth charged with Chronic or habitual truancy and found guilty of the same can face removal from the home, treatment or other court orders.
 

When a youth is truant from school for more than 5 days, that youth can be referred to the Juvenile Court’s Family Assessment Department. Youth and parent are cited to Court for a conference regarding youth’s attendance.  The consequences of continued truancy is explained to both the parent and the youth. Following the conference the youth attendance is monitored for up to 30 days to ensure improvement.  Failure to improve attendance can result in formal court interventions.

Diversion youth may be referred to a number of Court based or community based programs including Directions for Youth, Catholic Social Services, Franklin County Children Services or a variety of other programs that are based in the Franklin County area.   Additionally, youth diverted from traditional court can be referred to Court run programs such as Teen Court, Community Service, Mediation, Habilitation Services or Readers Rule.

• Youth who are first time offenders.
• Youth who are charged with a misdemeanor offense.
• Youth who are out of control of their parents or guardian.
• Youth who display unruly or incorrigible behaviors
• Youth who are truant from school.
• Youth referred to Family Assessment by a Court Magistrate out of a preliminary hearing.

Youth referred to Family Assessment are scheduled to appear, with their parent or guardian, before an Family Assessment staff member. Some youth are evaluated using a Risk Assessment Tool developed by The Ohio State University in cooperation with the Family Assessment Department. Services which best meet the youth and family needs are determined and linkages are made.

Youth and family can also meet with the Family Assessment worker to discuss family problems and resolve issues at the office conference level.  Family Assessment staff also follow-up with the programs insuring services are provided.

Successful completion of the diversion process can result in the youth not having a formal court record.  Failure to successfully complete diversion results in youth being charged formally.