Youth diversion program funded in Oregon

5/13/2008

Oregon City Council last night voted to continue funding its portion of the cost of the police department's Achieve juvenile diversion program.

The program, which was established in Oregon eight years ago, allows youths ages 7 to 17 who have been charged with a misdemeanor crime to atone for their misdeeds through community service and counseling programs rather than establish a criminal record.

Caseworker Irene Jardy, who is in charge of the program, said almost 500 children have participated in Achieve since 2000 and last year about 52 children completed the program.