The Adult Drug Treatment Court Program diverts nonviolent felons, with substance abuse problems, from incarceration in jail and/or prison. Participants also include Department of Corrections probationers who are sentenced to the program as a condition of probation or as a probation violation, and parole violators. Participants are given an opportunity to become involved in substance abuse treatment and to comply with other requirements such as attending bi-weekly court sessions, submitting random urinalysis samples, and reporting to program staff. They must also follow up on referrals made to other community agencies, which may include the Department of Human Services (DHS), Housing Resources, Maternal Support Services, the YWCA Sexual and Domestic Assault Programs, the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research and others. In order for a defendant to participate in the Drug Treatment Court Program, the defendant must enter a guilty plea to the charge(s). The defendant is represented by counsel during the plea process and may file a motion to set aside and dismiss the plea upon successful completion of the program. Defendants may also be sentenced to the program for a new offense, or upon a probation or parole violation.

The Restitution Program holds the juvenile offender responsible for his/her actions through procedures in which the offender is made aware of the personal consequences of the crime for the victim. It adheres to an accountability model facilitated through a service agreement and supervises both monetary restitution and community service. Offenses referred generally involve property loss or damage.

Project Lift (Larceny Intervention Program For Teens)
A juvenile first-time offender who is arrested in Portage for retail fraud III, and who is a resident of Kalamazoo County, may be eligible for referral to Project Lift, a diversionary program conducted by the Portage Community Center and the Portage Police Department. Successful completion of the program results in dismissal of the petition.

MADD VIP (Mother's Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel)
A juvenile first offender coming through the Intake Department, or from traffic court for a MIP (Minor in Possession of Alcohol) may be eligible to participate in the MADD VIP group developed to serve court-involved youth.

Youth and parents complete a questionnaire prior to the sessions and must present those for discussion on the night of the group. Various resources are utilized for both the parent group and the youth group that include DVD's, presenters who have been affected by a drunk driver, written material and discussion.

Successful completion results in the petition being dismissed. Failure to complete the program results in further sanctions, including abstracting the matter to the Secretary of State Office, impacting the juvenile's driver's license, a traffic court service fee of up to $75.00, and a $45.00 clearance fee assessed to the juvenile,

Power of Choice
The Elizabeth Upjohn Community Healing Center in collaboration with the 9th Circuit Court Family Division, offers an educational group, entitled Power of Choice, for youth who may be eligible due to issues pertaining to substance abuse. This group includes a parent orientation and participation by referred juveniles for 8 weeks. Referrals are primarily made out of the Intake Department as an alternative to formal court involvement.

Dispute Resolution Services
The Intake Department may refer some matters to Dispute Resolution Services (DRS) which is a program designed to reduce and resolve conflicts in the community using a restorative justice model. Cases, both formal and non-formal, where there is a willingness on the part of the juvenile and the victim, may be referred for mediation.

Other alternative programs may be found at:

Kalamazoo County Mental Health Services

Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program (KPEP)

Michigan Department of Corrections

Office of Community Corrections

Office of Prosecuting Attorney