Tidewater Youth Services representatives told the Portsmouth Crime & Gun Violence Prevention Commission on Jan. 5 that the Juvenile Conference Committee is a restorative diversion program for 12–18-year-olds who commit misdemeanor or status offenses.

"It's a 120-day program," said Tim Heiler, program director for Tidewater Youth Services. Heiler described a voluntary intake process run by the Court Service Unit's intake probation officer; when a victim agrees to diversion, the youth and family meet with a coordinator and, if accepted, a panel of community volunteers helps design a contract of sanctions and supports intended to restore the young person to the community.

Heiler said the program focuses on a holistic review of school performance, home life and other needs. Typical sanctions include supervised community service, an educational "Youth in the Law" class and written work; community-service assignments generally run 10–20 hours but may be set as high as 50 hours depending on the case. "If they successfully complete it, they don't go to court," Heiler said.

Jenny Hodge, executive director of Tidewater Youth Services, and Heiler urged commissioners to help recruit volunteers. Heiler said volunteers sit as a panel alongside the program coordinator for a one-time hearing that lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, and that volunteers must pass background checks run through the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Program leaders said the JCC has a long history in the region and reported favorable outcomes: "For the fiscal year 2024, we only had 5% of the youth actually came before the Court Service Unit for new charges or a new complaint," Heiler said when asked about recidivism.

Commissioners asked operational questions about where hearings are held (in agency conference rooms, at the Court Service Unit, in churches or schools), the kinds of charges that qualify (misdemeanors and status offenses; felonies would require Commonwealth's Attorney approval), and how substance-use issues are handled. Heiler said the program offers substance-abuse education and coordinates referrals to formal treatment when needed.

On recruitment, presenters distributed a flyer with a QR code and described an orientation and training process. Heiler said the program generally aims for volunteers aged 25 and older but that younger volunteers who pass the background check and training may participate.

The commission's members expressed support for expanding volunteer recruitment and for sharing the flyer through city channels. The presentation closed with an invitation to interested residents to contact the commission office to begin background checks and onboarding. The commission did not take a formal vote on actions arising from the presentation.