In this subtitle, “at-risk youth prevention and diversion program” means services provided to school-aged youth and their families to prevent or divert youth from entering the juvenile justice system and to help make them ready for adulthood by age 21.

An at-risk youth prevention and diversion program may be: community-based; school-based; neighborhood-based; or faith-based; and nonresidential.

At-risk youth prevention and diversion programs shall be coordinated, monitored, and supported by local management boards. A local management board shall: develop a request for funds based on the recommendations of the local planning group convened in accordance with § 8-605(b) of this subtitle; award funds to local agencies or organizations to provide direct services; monitor and evaluate at-risk youth prevention and diversion program performance; provide technical assistance to at-risk youth prevention and diversion programs as needed; promote cost-effectiveness strategies; measure at-risk youth prevention and diversion program outcomes; and provide fiscal and program reports to the Office. As part of the prevention element of the 3-year plan developed by the Children’s Cabinet establishing priorities and strategies for the coordinated delivery of services for children and families, the local management board shall: assess the adequacy, availability, and accessibility of current community-based services that: prevent and divert entry and reentry into the juvenile system; provide alternatives to incarceration and institutionalization; prevent and divert criminal behavior; and increase personal responsibility and self-sufficiency; identify unserved neighborhoods or communities with critical needs and significant numbers of at-risk or delinquent youth; and recommend programs that can be established or enhanced to address the unmet needs of youth and their families.

A local management board shall apply to the Office for funding for an at-risk youth prevention and diversion program. The application shall demonstrate that the local management board has convened a local planning group consisting of parents, youth, and representatives of public and private agencies that have knowledge of and experience working with at-risk youth and families.

On or before December 31 each year, the Office shall report: to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the implementation and effectiveness of at–risk youth prevention and diversion programs; and to the Department of Juvenile Services on: the number of children referred to an at–risk youth prevention and diversion program in the previous year; the age, gender, and race of children referred to an at–risk youth prevention and diversion program in the previous year; and the number of children currently enrolled in an at–risk youth prevention and diversion program.