Juvenile Delinquency First-Time Offender Diversion

Washington County is fortunate to have a diverse, capable, and growing population of youth. As young people mature, it is natural that some will make missteps that can cause harm or lead to violations of the law. While the Juvenile Department plays an essential role in responding to delinquent behavior, research and experience show that the most effective approach for first‑time, low‑level offenses is to address them within the community. Early diversion from the juvenile justice system helps youth repair harm, learn accountability, and stay connected to supportive environments that promote healthy development.

To achieve this, Washington County aims to continue working collaboratively with cities, schools, community organizations, law enforcement, and service providers. The County seeks to partner with a community-based provider who will contract with the Juvenile Department to serve youth referred for first‑time delinquency. The selected provider will guide youth in taking responsibility for their actions, support victims of delinquent acts to be restored, and help youth engage, and help youth engage in positive activities and programs that build skills, strengthen connections, and promote long-term well‑being.

The County has already established a strong foundation of support among school districts, law enforcement agencies, and internal partners. This collaborative network will work closely with the contracted provider to develop, launch, implement, and evaluate the community diversion program. This unified effort reflects Washington County’s commitment to restorative practices, evidence‑based approaches, and community engagement—all aimed at creating better outcomes for youth and fostering safer, healthier communities.

Washington County is a suburban county located on the western edge of Portland, Oregon, stretching from the city’s boundary to the forested slopes of the Coast Range. Home to approximately 610,000 residents, the County encompasses a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities. The eastern half is more densely populated and features service industries, light manufacturing, commercial development, and residential neighborhoods. In contrast, the western portion consists primarily of agricultural lands, private forests, and several smaller incorporated and unincorporated communities that reflect the region’s rural heritage.

The county seat of government is located in Hillsboro, Oregon, a community that has become a central hub for government services and regional economic activity. Over the past fifty years, Washington County has experienced substantial growth, driven largely by advancements in electronics and high‑tech industries. In recent years, roughly twenty percent of Oregon’s overall population growth has occurred within Washington County, underscoring its role as one of the state’s primary economic and demographic engines.

Washington County operates as a home rule county governed by five elected Commissioners. The Board appoints a County Administrator who serves as the chief executive, overseeing daily operations and ensuring effective delivery of services. Approximately 2,300 employees work across County government, providing an array of critical services to residents, businesses, and partner cities.

Within this context, the Juvenile Department is deeply committed to research‑based and data‑driven approaches to addressing delinquency. Juvenile justice research demonstrates that community‑based programming is significantly more effective in reducing the likelihood that a youth with a first‑time, low‑level offense will reoffend. Early diversion leads to fewer victims, fewer delinquent acts, and fewer youth progressing deeper into the juvenile justice system due to receiving a response that better fits their developmental needs.

To advance these outcomes, Washington County intends to continue its partnership with cities, schools, community organizations, law enforcement, and service providers to create a community‑based diversion program for youth referred to the Juvenile Department for first‑time delinquency. The County seeks to contract with a community provider who will support youth in taking responsibility for any harm caused, assist victims in being restored, and connect youth with positive activities and programs that foster healthy development and strengthen ties to their communities.

A strong coalition of support already exists across County departments, school districts, and law enforcement agencies. This network will collaborate with the selected provider to develop, launch, implement, and evaluate the diversion program. The County aims to finalize the contract in September 2026 and begin referring youth in November 2026, with an estimated 200–250 youth participating annually. The Juvenile Department’s Research and Evaluation team will work closely with the provider to establish an effective evaluation process to ensure continuous improvement and long‑term success.