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Wayne County committee backs amendment to extend RightTrack juvenile diversion program
Summary
The Health and Human Services committee voted to forward an amendment to a memorandum of understanding with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office to continue the RightTrack diversion program for fiscal year 2026, citing a $475,236 allocation and high program completion rates.
The Wayne County Health and Human Services Committee voted to forward to the full commission an amendment to a four‑year memorandum of understanding with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office to continue the RightTrack juvenile diversion program for fiscal year 2026.
Melissa Fernandez, director of juvenile and youth services for the county, told the committee the amendment covers $475,236 for the program and urged approval to avoid sending more young people into the formal juvenile justice system. "The amount is $475,236," Fernandez said. "The RightTrack program has given proven responses, and it is a tremendous savings to the county not having to put these juveniles through the full juvenile justice system."
Fernandez reported that in 2024, 270 young people went through RightTrack with a 93 percent success rate, meaning those participants did not formally enter the juvenile justice system. Committee members asked for more longitudinal data on recidivism and trends over multiple years; Fernandez said that information is included in the department’s annual report and offered to provide an excerpt summarizing multi‑year outcomes.
Commissioners pressed several operational questions. Commissioner Killeen asked who decides whether a young person is eligible; Fernandez said the prosecutor’s office makes the final determination and identified Robert Heimbook as the chief of juvenile services who makes the final call. Committee members also clarified the county’s role: Fernandez said the county contracts with providers for initial contact, oversees progress and maintains program statistics.
After discussion the committee approved the motion to forward the amendment to the full commission; committee members voiced their support during a voice vote.
The committee did not adopt detailed amendment language during the meeting; the vote forwarded the amendment for consideration by the full commission.
As requested during the discussion, county staff will provide a multi‑year excerpt from the annual report showing program completions and any available follow‑up on participants.
