Adolescent Diversion Program

ADP Header

CW Solutions and Wood County Human Services Department received a program award from the Department of Health Services for the Community Partnerships for Diversion from Youth Justice grant in 2020. We expanded our program in 2022 with an additional Legacy Grant from the Legacy Foundation of Wood County. Our program is based upon the Adolescent Diversion Project developed by Michigan State University. ADP is an 18-26 week intervention program whose mission is to reduce the number of youth who intersect with the youth justice system.

What does ADP Do?

ADP builds upon the strengths of a youth by focusing on solutions rather than problems, reinforcing positive behaviors and modeling a non-blaming approach for youth, parental caretakers, school staff and community members.

A youth worker works intensely with a youth for 6 - 8 hours each week, helping the youth learn several positive behavior skills including:

LEO Program tools including:

  • Higher brain/Lower Brain Awareness
  • Pause, Delay and Ask Questions
  • False Story
  • OUCH Tool
  • Higher Brain Communication
  • Self-Worth

Behavior Intervention tools including:

  • Thinking Traps
  • Decision Making
  • Overcoming Automatic Responses
  • Problem-Solving

In addition, the youth worker helps the youth and family connect to community resources and peer networks.

ADP Phases

Who is Eligible?

  • Youth age 10 - 17,
  • Exhibiting behaviors that may result or have resulted in youth justice involvement,
  • Reside in Wood County or attend school in Wood County, and
  • Is referred by a school, human services or law enforcement entity.

The ADP Team

The ADP team includes the program supervisor, two full-time youth workers and interns from UW-Stevens Point.

  • Angela O'Day, ADP Supervisor l This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. l 715-421-8650
  • Jess Kettner, Youth Worker (12-17) l This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. l 715-315-4102
  • Katy Schooley, Youth Worker (12-17) l This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. l 715-315-4103
  • Libby Conway, Youth Worker (10-11) l This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. l 715-315-4266
  • Rebecca Pletka, Youth Worker (10-11) l This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. l 715-315-4268