State's Attorney highlights Back on Track and RISE truancy initiative; seeks partners for wraparound services

State's Attorney Terrence H. Jackson described two diversion efforts aimed at reducing recidivism and juvenile involvement in the criminal justice system.

Jackson said Back on Track, an 18-month diversion program that predates the current administration, targets low-level offenders and includes accountability measures; participants who successfully complete the program may have their records expunged. "It's an 18 month program... the judge will expunge the record if the person successfully completes the program," Jackson said.

Jackson also outlined the RISE truancy initiative, which she said is supported by nearly $1,000,000 in federal grant funding and will provide at least a half-million dollars to nonprofit partners, along with two in-house case managers and a program manager to work with chronically absent students and their families. The office said the program will coordinate with school systems and local nonprofits to provide wraparound services.

Why it matters: diversion and truancy programs aim to prevent early entry into the justice system, reduce recidivism and address family and community-level needs that contribute to delinquency. Committee members asked for data on Back on Track outcomes; Jackson said historical program data were incomplete but the office is prioritizing data collection and hopes to publish program metrics on its dashboard where feasible.