FY 2023 Title II Formula Grant

Idaho’s FY23 Title II Plan is part of comprehensive efforts in the state to strengthen Idaho youth and families. Idaho has continued to focus on minimizing formal juvenile justice involvement for moderate to low-risk youth. State statute revisions and educational efforts have helped to bolster diversion practices. Recent allocations of state funds to establish youth assessment centers and youth crisis centers throughout the state will help improve Idaho’s youth justice and behavioral health systems. Idaho’s State Advisory Group (SAG) 3-year plan focused on three main priority areas:
1. Reduce violations of the Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO) core requirement to achieve and maintain compliance. Due to changes in state rule and statute, along with stakeholder training/education and resource development, Idaho regained compliance in September of 2022. Goals and activities moving forward will focus on continued stakeholder training and enhancement of alternatives to detention.
2. Prevention & diversion efforts statewide. The intent is to prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system, when appropriate, and to prevent further escalation for youth in the system. The Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections was given $11 million by the state legislature to establish youth assessment centers and youth crisis centers to help connect youth and families with resources and increase youth safety and stabilization. Goals and activities of the Idaho Juvenile Justice Commission will help support these new resources and building more effective cross-system collaboration to expand diversion programs. Idaho aims to expand diversion efforts by supporting increasing restorative justice and mentoring practices statewide.
3. Family and youth engagement. Engaging and collaborating with both youth and families will enhance positive youth outcomes. Primary goals and activities include training stakeholders on effective engagement with youth and families, supporting parent’s capacity to effectively fulfill their parent role, and growing youth leadership opportunities by creating space and providing resources. Grant funds will be used to support priorities identified by District and Tribal Juvenile Justice Councils, the Youth Committee, and the Idaho Juvenile Justice Commission, which serves as the State Advisory Group. Idaho’s plan and the goals set within the culmination of local planning workgroups throughout the state using a data driven, strengths-based approach. Success is measured according to the specific goals and objectives within the various priority areas.