Intensive Community Diversion (ICD)

The Intensive Community Diversion Program, as of July 2005, has been reconfigured to meet the changing needs of minors and their families in San Luis Obispo County. Three Deputy Probation Officers remain regionally located in North and South County as well as San Luis Obispo and the coast. In addition, two family therapists, contracted through Family Care Network, are available regionally to assess and counsel ICD families where appropriate. In 2004/05 there were 408 minors served by ICD (.07% increase over 2003/04).

The Supervisor overseeing the ICD program remains a consultant and liaison for law enforcement countywide. Although many of law enforcement's diversion programs have been absorbed into the Probation Department’s countywide program, these agencies have Diversion, DARE and school resource officers who remain an integral part of the ICD program. Quarterly meetings are held, through the Probation Department, where countywide agencies focusing on prevention/early intervention come together to identify the needs of high-risk minors and their families and look at viable solutions with the purpose of keeping minors out of the juvenile court system.

The ICD Program also collaborates with Chumash Challenge and three recreation departments countywide seeking team building options for the minors participating in diversion programs. A new collaboration has been established with Cal Poly’s Community Partnership and ICD to establish tutoring programs throughout the County. This program was initiated in North County and is launching in the City of San Luis Obispo in January 2006. School districts and non-profit organizations are assisting in coordinating the tutoring program as they have seen the advantages of minors being successful in their respective school programs.

The ICD Program also has a Deputy Probation Officer assigned to supervise minors referred to Diversion where the primary charge is relating to substance abuse. ICD works in conjunction with Drug and Alcohol Services to utilize the Minor Accountability Program (MAP). This parent-involved drug education program is assimilated into the minor’s diversion contract. A community liaison and interns from Cal Poly and Cuesta College supervise minors referred to ICD who have committed an offense in San Luis Obispo County but reside outside of the area. They are also continuing to develop a countywide community work service program. One ICD intern is currently focusing her senior project on a mentoring program for diversion participants.