The Adolescent Diversion Project

Abstract The Adolescent Diversion Project (ADP) is an ecological program that seeks to promote family and community support and divert youth from further potentially labeling contact with the juvenile justice system. This manuscript reviews results from three phases of research that test program efficacy, compare intervention components, and examine staffing models. The model involves trained paraprofessionals who utilize behavioral contracting and community advocacy to help families of delinquent youth. Results are then presented from the fourth phase, the current study that replicates the model and presents an empirical test of the underlying conceptual framework derived from social-interactionist/ labeling theory. Again, ADP is found to result in less official delinquency than the “warn and release” or juvenile justice processing conditions. Perceived negative labeling is related to increased delinquency while perceived awareness of youth activities without labeling is related to reduced delinquency. The results highlight the importance of the family, community, and juvenile justice contexts and their reactions to juvenile delinquency.