Program seeks alternatives to youth incarceration

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A program that seeks community-based alternatives to the practice of locking up youth offenders or placing them in rehabilitation facilities outside their homes has come to communities in Michigan.

The nonprofit Youth Advocate Programs is working with Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services on the effort in Saginaw, Mecosta, Osceola, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Isabella and Clare counties.

Funding from Ballmer Group to Youth Advocate Programs Inc., is helping with startup costs.

At any given time, there are 10 young people in the program, which serves up to 30 in a year, according to Soleil Campbell, juvenile justice policy and systems manager with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Program participants are referred to or committed to the department for care or supervision. Risk factors for them include prior abuse and neglect, trauma, poverty, substance abuse or poor performance in school.

“Youth are much more successful when they are able to be served within their community,” Campbell said. “Many who have delinquent behavior are experiencing some sort of family discord. Serving them within the family system allows the provider to help the whole family function better.”

The program focuses on youths who at moderate to high-risk of being placed in residential facilities or in need of intensive community-based services. Local Department of Health and Human Services staff are working with county courts on the program, Campbell said. Neighborhood-based advocates work with youth, parents and guardians.

“There is more consensus than ever that youth incarceration is part of a failed system — that it’s dangerous, results in poor outcomes and is very expensive,” said Jeff Fleischer, Youth Advocate Programs chief...