To make a referral in Cumberland or Southern Sagadahoc County, please contact:
Leigh-Ashley Pettengill, (207) 323-5329, or lapettengill@youthledjustice.org
To make a referral in the Lewiston/Auburn region, please contact:
La Michael Gildersleeve, (207) 505-0623, or lgildersleeve@youthledjustice.org
Leigh-Ashley Pettengill, (207) 323-5329, or lapettengill@youthledjustice.org
To make a referral in the Lewiston/Auburn region, please contact:
La Michael Gildersleeve, (207) 505-0623, or lgildersleeve@youthledjustice.org
Who can make a referral?
Referrals can be made by Police Departments, School Resource Officers, Juvenile Community Corrections Officers, District Attorney's Offices, School Administrators, Community organizations, and Community members. Youth are referred to our program in order to divert them away from punitive consequences, including (but not limited to) summonses, probation, adjudication, suspension, or expulsion.
Which youth are eligible?
The Youth-LED Justice is a diversion program available for youth generally ages 11-18. Young people referred to our program are called respondents. We work with interpretation services so that language is not a barrier to participation. Due to our capacity we cannot take every case, but will work with you to recommend another diversion and supports for the young person.
Please contact a YLJ staff member (listed above) with any questions about eligibility or the types of cases our program accepts.
Please contact a YLJ staff member (listed above) with any questions about eligibility or the types of cases our program accepts.
What happens once a referral is made?
A Youth-LED Justice staff member will contact the youth and their guardian(s) to schedule an intake meeting. During the intake meeting, staff share about the program's requirements and benefits, discuss the reason for referral, complete paperwork, and conduct a brief screening (AC-OK) with the youth. Staff then coordinate the restorative circle, which is facilitated by trained youth volunteers and advocates and/or YLJ staff. Typical restorative circle participants include the youth respondent, victims/person(s) most impacted, guardian(s), community members, and other supportive adults. A Restorative Plan is created during the process with action items that the respondent is expected to complete in the weeks following the circle. Staff update referral sources on a monthly basis about a youth’s progress in the program.