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County diversion program shows early gains in school attendance; officials plan Tall Cop prevention session
Summary
Sawyer County’s new juvenile diversion program reported improved school attendance for many referred youth and is funded largely by grants; officials also scheduled a Tall Cop presentation to brief schools, law enforcement and community partners on new substances and paraphernalia seen among youth.
Sarah, youth justice coordinator, told the Health and Human Services board that Sawyer County’s diversion program is showing early success in reducing truancy and engaging youth with incentives and supports.
Sarah said the program received 11 referrals between January and June and eight more referrals after school started; seven additional intakes were pending. Of the youth currently engaged, 15 have achieved 100% school attendance since starting diversion supports, and she said the program currently works with about 32 youth plus seven pending intakes.
The diversion approach favors incentives and early intervention rather than punitive responses. Sarah described incentives funded by grant dollars—small gift cards, phone chargers and larger mid‑year drawings (e.g., $100 gift cards) for students who meet attendance goals. She said the program is entirely grant funded and that staff are also using grants to support foster care and kinship outreach events.
Staff also described a prevention presentation: Tall Cop (a presenter the county invited after a juvenile conference) will lead a four‑hour session planned for Nov. 12 to educate schools, law enforcement and stakeholders about new products, paraphernalia and legally sold substances that can produce opioid‑like effects and are being used by youth. The board said the session will be promoted to county board members, CJCC members and regional partners; location discussions included holding it at LCO University.
Sarah said the county is piloting a parenting group program (12 weeks) delivered by Journey Day Treatment in place of an earlier contract with Sirona Recovery; initial sessions will focus on parents alone and later include youth. The program pays modest incentives to parents to encourage participation.
Separately, youth justice staff reported an increase in weapons and illegal guns in the community and said they will meet with local law enforcement and the district attorney to coordinate a response. No board actions were taken; staff asked for continued partnership from schools, law enforcement and community organizations.
