Children First is a member of The Youth Safety Coalition, a statewide advocacy coalition committed to reducing the number of Pennsylvania children involved with the juvenile legal system, with a focus on expanding diversion, reducing the use of secure detention and placement, and reducing the adult prosecution of children.

More than 17,000 Pennsylvania children charged in juvenile court in 2023; 2/3 of the charges were for misdemeanors or summary offenses, like loitering and disorderly conduct. For nearly all (94%) of children charged, the Court determined their risk of committing another crime was low to moderate.

For those kids and their communities, diversion is a better alternative than jail or probation. Unfortunately, Black and brown kids do not receive diversion as often as their white peers, and programs may not be offered depending on the county a child lives in. As a result, more children are placed on probation or even incarcerated, possibly derailing their futures and increasing the likelihood they will commit additional crimes.

The PA General Assembly must act to ensure that all counties use the same criteria for diversion, making it accessible to all children who commit low-level offenses.