Sawyer County youth-justice data: high referral rate but diversion program shows strong early results
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Summary
A Youth Justice supervisor said Sawyer County’s delinquency-referral rate ranks among the highest small counties in Wisconsin (about 35 referrals per 1,000 in 2022-23, falling to 29 in 2024). The county’s diversion/truancy program reported 37 referrals in 2025 with a 91.89% success or improvement rate.
Sarah, the youth-justice supervisor, presented a deep data review Feb. 10 showing Sawyer County’s delinquency-referral burden has been higher than most comparable counties and that a newly implemented diversion program has produced strong short-term outcomes.
The presentation noted that Sawyer County’s delinquency referral rate for youth ages 10–16 was 35 per 1,000 in 2022 and 2023 and decreased to 29 per 1,000 in 2024; the county consistently ranked among the top small counties for referral rates. "Sawyer County has a higher than average rate of delinquency referral," Sarah said while showing county-by-county comparisons.
Sarah highlighted program results: the diversion-truancy program received 37 referrals in 2025 and reported 91.89% of youth referred were classified as improved or successful; 8% were unsuccessful (some moved out of county). The supervisor told the board 82% of diversion referrals were Native American youth, and staff plan to coordinate regionally (first outreach to Vilas County) to compare practices.
The presentation discussed risk stratification (YASI assessments) and that Sawyer County sees fewer low-to-moderate risk cases and comparatively more high/very-high risk youth, increasing case-management time and travel demands. Sarah credited staff work and diversion strategies for part of the decline in referrals and urged continued investment in hands-on case management.
Board members asked about regional collaboration and next steps for data-sharing and program scaling; staff said they would pursue follow-ups with comparable counties and continue internal data monitoring.
