Impact

“In the community with the court sometimes the perception is that we are the place that juveniles are sent for consequences, and so the fact that we have engaged with MSU through the ADP program in a constructive way that's non-punitive, it really shifts that perspective that the court is not invested in punishment, but we're invested in constructive and evidence-based approaches to powerfully and positively impact the lives of the young people that we serve. 

Adolescent diversion program is very helpful and impactful to the youth that we serve. Given the myriad of challenges that they have, having a mentor, having someone who is invested in them, the support that they have, planting those seeds of hope of what is possible for them, building that faith with unconditional positive regard for them. Sometimes they're experiencing that for the first time, and so with ADP, it's an evidence-based program where positive youth development is so very critical, and so ADP actually provides that for our youth in the community.”

Annette Ellison, Deputy Court Administrator

“The youths that we work with hear all the time how they can't do it, they're not going to make it, you're bad. So, to be able to come at it with a strength based is really important, and it makes a difference for them, because for the first time, short of their probation officer, they're having someone look at them and say, ‘You can do this. How do we do it? Let's work together, let's come up with a goal, let's do this, let's try that.’ It's huge for the kids, because they're not used to having that, and again, that goes back to that healthy relationship and boundaries, that strength-based. You're not looking at them saying negative things, they hear that enough, but you are their positive, and I think that makes a huge difference in success rates too, and the effect that it has on the kids moving forward."

April Krepp, Juvenile Court Officer – Intake

“The initial word that comes to mind when I think about the impact of MSU ADP is huge. I work with clients who come back to me and tell me that they appreciate the time that they're having, the amount of fun they're having, the different resources that are being used within the program. So, if you're asking me directly about impact, it's huge and extremely beneficial.  ADP does work. I know, because of the amount of clients that I've referred, and the feedback that I get from it.”

Chris Phillips, Juvenile Court Officer – Probation

“We don't want to focus on what kids have done to get on probation. We really want to focus on how we can correct those issues; how can we get kids involved with different activities. The research shows that the more involvement kids have with positive pro-social activities, the better outcomes for them, and so I think MSU ADP is really aligned with the court's philosophy and the court's mission of making sure we can provide as much opportunity for the kids to be involved with positive things as possible for them."

Kevin Bucci, Juvenile Services Director

“My goal was to get a job because I had no job, start respecting my mom, staying out of trouble. [Achieving] it made me feel happy because she really helped me like do it. She really helped me. It’s like I’m actually like grown up.”

– Youth, Fall 2017 – Spring 2018

“I feel like she’s a good person to hang around because she’s positive, and she doesn’t like judge or anything. She’s a good person to talk to.” 

– Youth, Fall 2017 – Spring 2018

“[Before the program I would just] walk out of the room. [Now] first I’d try to talk to whoever is making me mad or something then, if they can’t talk then I’d straight up walk out.” 

– Youth, Fall 2017 – Spring 2018

“Like now I don’t have to like think about and bottle up things, and I can actually get them out when I’m boxing and stuff. I don’t snap really like I used to.” 

– Youth, Fall 2015 – Spring 2016

“We did the vision board. I like the vision board. We put glitter and stuff on it. […] Like, we’ve put like pictures of obstetrician doctors on the board, and we talked about what an obstetrician is and how much they make a year. […] It’s like it made me look at myself. Like, I have a lot of goals for myself, and I can do anything.” 

– Youth, Fall 2015 – Spring 2016

“I knew that she [my advocate] would be the person that I could go to talk to if I needed it. […] She was nice and caring, and she was just chill. I just thought she was cool.” 

– Youth, Fall 2015 – Spring 2016