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 California Legislature passed the Local Control Funding Formula, giving school districts more flexibility in allocating education funds. The law directs more resources to high-needs students—including low-income children, and foster youth—and requires a fair, transparent distribution. LCFF became a key funding source for restorative practices. At the same time, restorative justice has been promoted as an alternative to the juvenile justice system to address the school-to-prison pipeline.

The Restorative Community Conferencing program is established in San Diego, 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 San Diego County Board of Supervisors authorized the San Diego 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 San Diego Unified School District board unanimously approves the Restorative Discipline Policy, replacing in-school suspensions with alternative-to-suspension programs and requiring that schools implement restorative interventions before suspending a student.

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.

The Alliance for Safety and Justice commissioned the second National Survey of Victims’ Views — the 2022 National Survey of Victims’ Views — to inform the urgent debate on crime policy. This report describes the findings and highlights opportunities for further research and reform to promote policies that reflect the needs and perspectives of the people harmed.   

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 San Diego 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 San Diego Probation Department issues a Request for Quotations for Restorative Practices Program Services at the Youth Transition Campus, including the integration of victim mediation and family conferencing, 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 San Diego County Board of Supervisors authorizes the District Attorney’s Office to competitively procure the Juvenile Diversion Initiative or extends the current contract to ensure ongoing community services.

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

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors prioritizes and expands restorative justice initiatives based on community feedback and proven practices to provide a comprehensive, community-based alternative to traditional juvenile justice approaches that focus on the needs of the person harmed.