Juvenile Diversion Program

The Gulf Ridge Council "JAKE" Program began in the spring of 2006 offered to first-time offenders as an alternative to the normal judicial system. Participants that meet the juvenile diversion criteria may be referred to us by the State's Attorney. The youth and his or her parent are brought in for an interview to discuss the JAKE program, what their commitment is, what is expected of them and to answer any questions they might have. If they choose to continue, they commit to the JAKE program for the next six months.

Over 300 youth have successfully completed the JAKE* program since it's inception. After graduation, we continue to get reports from the State's Attorney on the progress of these participants. Here are the remarkable results:

• We are proud to say that (as of May 2009), of those who successfully complete the JAKE program, only 8.4% have re-offended.
• This recidivism rate is considerably better than what we find with other, similar juvenile diversion programs. Even those managed by other Boy Scout councils in the country average 15% recidivism.
• And, this is MUCH better than the 55% of juveniles who re-offend after going through the traditional court and juvenile detention system.

For more information about our Juvenile Diversion program, please review these recent JAKE newsletters:

• April, 2007
• January, 2008
• July, 2008

*"J.A.K.E." stands for "Juveniles Acquiring Knowledge and Experience." This program began in Hillsborough Co. and the name was derived from the Juvenile Assessment Center (often referred to as the JAC). Even though our juvenile diversion program is now in Polk, Hardee and Highlands Counties and will soon be established in other counties, the "JAKE" name seems to have stuck.

J.A.K.E. Director: Ralph Snyder, (813) 872-2691, ext. 118