Cleveland Community Relations Board Seeks Grant for Youth Diversion Program
The Executive Director of the Community Relations Board is seeking authorization to apply for and accept a grant from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Court Division, to run the 2027-2028 Cleveland Youth Diversion Program. This emergency ordinance, filed as 1361-2026, would fund a collaborative effort between the City of Cleveland and the Juvenile Court to provide rehabilitation-focused services for young people involved in the legal system.
What's in the file
The proposed program is designed to divert youth who have committed non-violent, low-level offenses away from official court processes and toward community-based accountability. According to 1361-2026-A File-Ap & Ac - Juvenile Court Cleveland Community Diversion - no K, the program focuses on preserving prosocial factors through rehabilitation rather than deterrence-based sanctions.
Key provisions of the program include:
- Target Population: Primarily youth ages 10 to 17 who are residents of Cuyahoga County, though the court may occasionally refer 18-year-olds or non-residents under the court's jurisdiction.
- Prohibited Programming: The agreement explicitly forbids the use of "scared straight" programs, boot camps, prison or morgue site visits, or other punitive or intimidating techniques.
- Permitted Services: Authorized activities include restorative justice programs, skills-building groups, truancy prevention, mentoring, community service, and referrals to behavioral health services.
- Assignment Examples: Youth may be tasked with apology letters, volunteer work, school monitoring, or financial restitution.
- Funding Structure: The agreement establishes a budget for the term of January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2028.
| Item | Amount/Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Budget Limit | $44,400.00 |
| Successful Engagement Stipend | $300.00 per YOUTH |
Who may be affected
- Community Relations Board: Authorized to apply for and manage the grant.
- Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court: Provides the grant and refers youth through the Early Intervention and Diversion Center.
- Cleveland Youth: Residents ages 10 to 17 (and occasionally 18) referred to the program for non-violent offenses.
Status and timeline
2026-11-05: The emergency ordinance was introduced and received its first reading.
Residents can verify the details of this legislation by reviewing the official record for File No. 1361-2026 through the Cleveland City Council website.
Source record
- File
- 1361-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- First Reading
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- November 4, 2026