More Hispanic youths opting for diversion

COLUMBUS - The addition of a bilingual youth diversion officer in October 2004 has increased the number of Hispanic youth who participate in the Platte Valley Diversion Program.

Previously, about 10 percent of Hispanic youths eligible for the program enrolled. After the Spanish-speaking staff member was hired, about 70 percent - 29 out of a possible 41 - signed up.

A total of 168 youths of all backgrounds were served through the program in fiscal year 2005-06, according to Platte Valley Diversion Program Administrator Wilma Arp. Seventy-five percent of those participants did not re-offend.

“We know we can't save all of the kids, but if we can reach 75 percent, that's doing good,” Arp said.

Arp requested permission Tuesday from the Platte County Board of Supervisors to apply for a continuation of the federal grant that funds the part-time wages of Santiago Vasquez, the bilingual youth diversion officer, as well as for Ileana Jarecki's Spanish language parenting classes that are presented about every six weeks and are a requirement of the program.

About $14,600 of grant funds will be requested to pay for the programs.

“The diversity of our city is continuing to grow, and for us to address those issues is tremendous,” Arp said.

Earlier this year, representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice visited the Columbus office and requested a future presentation in Washington, D.C., on the successful program.

Juveniles are eligible for the diversion program through referral from the county attorney's office if they are first-time offenders of a non-felony, nonviolent violation and between the ages of 10 and 18. The local office began offering youth diversion services in February 2001.

In other supervisor news:

n Platte County Veterans Officer Dave Oppliger was reappointed to his position for the next year at an annual salary of $32,680, an increase of about 3 percent. Also discussed, but not voted on, was changing the secretarial position in the veterans office from full-time to part-time. It was decided additional study should take place before a decision is made.

n Election Commissioner Diane Olmer was reappointed to her position for an additional four-year term.

n Platte County Basic Emergency Operations Plan was approved as a resolution.