Adolescent Diversion Program

Through our work with the Millard Public Schools System, we have designed a Diversion Program, designed to help parents and adolescents address substance abuse within adolescent populations.  This program helps adolescents in Millard Public Schools to get back into school in ten days, rather than the full nineteen school-days required when suspended for alcohol and/or drug issues.  However, it is also being offered to any adolescent in a diversion program in the area.  This eight-part program consists of the following:

1. Student will complete a chemical dependency screening through Abintra Counseling Services.  Parents must attend the session and participate in a “collateral interview” in order to obtain the best results. The results and recommendations of the assessment will be shared with parents, student, and school or diversion officer.  Parents must sign a release so results can be shared with Millard Public Schools.

2. Student and parents will attend the Four-Hour Family Alcohol and Other Drug Education class on a Saturday.

3. Student will complete fifteen hours of community service at a pre-arranged community agency and write an essay about the positive contribution to society that was made.   

4. Student and parents will attend three Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, completing a meeting review form for each meeting attended, and will interview one member of these programs, filling out the membership questionnaire.

5. Student will research and write a 1,000 word essay on the nature of all chemicals that have been used throughout their life. 

6. Student and parent will create a boundaries and consequences list for future chemical use within the household, to be signed by both the parent and the student.

7. Student and parents will work with staff to identify five of the 40 Development Assets that can be worked towards, and identify three small steps to begin working towards bettering those as a family. 

8. Student will complete Change Plan Worksheet, to identify what changes are desired and how those changes will be implemented.

The total cost of this program is due at the beginning of the program. 

Once all eight aspects are finished, the adolescent and parent will attend a final session, where all paperwork will be turned in.