Below is a timeline highlighting San Diego’s commitment and community advocacy to create alternatives to youth incarceration that prioritize the voices and needs of those harmed.

The Juvenile Diversion program was developed to offer law enforcement alternatives for youth displaying at-risk behaviors or committing low-level misdemeanors.

Community Assessment Teams (CAT) are piloted and begin operations in San Diego County following the Local Action Plan to Reduce Juvenile Crime and Violence.

The Schiff-Cardenas Crime Prevention Act (AB1913), later known as the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA), establishes funding for effective juvenile delinquency prevention and intervention programs.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors consolidates the CAT and Juvenile Diversion programs based on community feedback.

The Restorative Community Conferencing program is established, introducing a juvenile diversion approach that actively involves those harmed and the broader community in the process. This model ensures that all voices are heard, fostering accountability, healing, and meaningful resolution for everyone affected.

The Board of Supervisors authorized the Probation Department to competitively procure the CAT and Juvenile Diversion programs to ensure continued community services.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approves funding to establish the District Attorney’s Juvenile Diversion Initiative based on community feedback and positive outcomes of the Restorative Community Conferencing Program. Funding sources consist mainly of General Purpose Revenue and Proposition 172 funds under the Public Safety Group.

The District Attorney’s Juvenile Diversion Initiative launches, administered by the National Conflict Resolution Center, which also led the Restorative Community Conferencing program. This initiative builds on proven restorative practices to provide a comprehensive, community-based alternative to traditional juvenile justice approaches.

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) presented its Final Report and Recommendations on Alternatives to Incarceration to the Board of Supervisors.  On that same date, County staff presented recommendations for supportive services and County actions to support the plan. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the County Work Plan for Alternatives to Incarceration. Primary funding comes from the Public Safety Group and the Health and Human Services Agency.

After strong efforts from victim and juvenile justice advocates, Assembly Bill 60 was signed into law by the California Legislature, which gives people harmed the right to be notified of restorative justice programs serving their community, county, county jails, juvenile detention facilities, and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  

The California Attorney General’s Office updated its Marsy’s Rights and Resource card to provide information about restorative justice.

The Probation Department updates procurement for the CAT and Juvenile Diversion programs to formally incorporate restorative justice into case management practices, ensuring compliance with Assembly Bill 60 requirements.

The CAT and Juvenile Diversion program provides restorative justice in all five regions of San Diego County. Simultaneously, a growing number of organizations are adopting and delivering restorative justice programs that respond to community needs.

The Board of Supervisors authorizes the District Attorney’s office to competitively procure the Juvenile Diversion Initiative to ensure continued community services.

In response to the demonstrated success of the District Attorney’s Juvenile Diversion Initiative and valuable feedback from the community, the Board of Supervisors allocates funds to expand evidence-based, strengths-focused youth development approaches to steer youth away from the criminal justice system.

The Board of Supervisors consolidates CAT and Juvenile Diversion programs with the District Attorney’s Juvenile Diversion Initiative based on community feedback and proven restorative practices to provide a comprehensive, community-based alternative to traditional juvenile justice approaches.