Supporting Criminal DiversionAt — Yolo County Public Defender
Yolo County currently has a number of diversion programs which offer clients who are charged with criminal offenses the opportunity to participate in programming and services, rather than go through the traditional prosecution process. While these are wonderful opportunities that can help clients to have their criminal charges reduced or dismissed, navigating these programs can sometimes be challenging. Social work interns assigned to this project will help clients navigate the requirements of his/her assigned diversion program, as well as linking clients to community based services that may help clients with their current needs or any unmet needs that contributed to client's involvement in the criminal legal system.
- interviewing methods/strategies - factors that lead/contribute to incarceration - systems theory - Yolo County's mental health and substance use systems of care - basics procedures of criminal legal proceedings - basic principles of restorative justice
Students will be provided with an orientation, which will cover the basics of Yolo County's diversion programs, restorative justice principles, and an overview of local county resources
This opportunity will be mostly in the office. If community/field work is required it will either be meeting clients/friends family in-person at a safe, public space. Your supervisor should be made aware of any time you are out of the office and meetings should be conducted in public places. Students can arrange to use the office car and may have access to an office cell phone.
Supplemental Questions: 1) The clients assigned to your caseload may face many barriers in order to connect to services & treatment, some within their control and some outside of their control. How do you expect to provide supportive services to someone who is facing multiple barriers (lack of housing, long wait-lists, not ready to get sober, etc.) 2) Mass incarceration is a huge problem within our country. Please tell us about how you are passionate about this issue or another social justice or racial justice issue.