Detention Diversion Advocacy Program (DDAP)
The Detention Diversion Advocacy Program (DDAP) aims to reduce the disproportionate number of youth of color who are brought before the juvenile court system. Offered through Suffolk and Hampden Counties’ Juvenile Courts, Judges refer youth to DDAP at their discretion. Youth can also be referred to DDAP by their attorney, probation, school resource officer/counselor, guardian etc. The program provides community-based support and supervision and helps youth establish positive goals and live to their fullest potential. We serve all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, and gender identities, offering inclusive and equitable services to all youth, including LGBTQIA+ youth.
Our Youth Advocates provide intensive support, including accompanying youth to scheduled court dates, participating in school visits, providing employment assistance, and facilitating enrichment and recreational activities.
Program Objectives
Reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the use of secure detention by providing the courts with an effective program alternative for minority youth to remain in the community while they await further court proceedings.
Take steps to ensure that youth return to court for all subsequent court proceedings.
Closely monitor, engage, and support youth (and their families) to ensure that the court-ordered conditions of release are adhered to.
Reduce the likelihood of subsequent delinquent behavior resulting in deeper juvenile justice system involvement.
Program Objectives
Our Approach
Increasing Success
DDAP is an evidence-informed model designed to provide improved outcomes for court-involved youth by advocating for youth at their disposition hearings and implementing individual service plans addressing personal, social, educational, and wellness needs. DDAP offers an effective approach to reducing racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system through coordinated prevention and intervention efforts and trauma-informed, focused case management.
Using a Positive Youth Development framework, we provide services to youth to decrease rates of Failures to Appear in court and incarceration, while connecting them to pro-social, future oriented programming in their home communities.
Personal Reflection
In Yoskar's Words
"When I first started the DDAP program. I was a little nervous and scared. I honestly thought it was just another form of punishment. But that changed the moment I met Dawn, the person I checked in with in the program.
She was so kind to me, and I could immediately tell she genuinely wanted the best for me. She constantly reminded me that I deserved a second chance to do better. That meant a lot, especially because, at first, I didn't even want to join the program - I'll be real about that. But as time went on, I started looking forward to the days we could meet.
It was actually fun. We had great conversations, and she motivated me to become a better man. Dawn helped me get my ID, my permit, and eventually my driver's license. Honestly, I don't think any of that would've happened without her and the DDAP program.
The program motivated me to accomplish so much more than I ever expected. It pushed me to go after a job at Fenway Park, which I'm really proud of. It gave me the confidence to start my passport applications so I can be ready for future opportunities. I was also inspired to get back into the gym, which helped me feel better both physically and mentally. One of the biggest changes is how Dawn and the program motivated me to take control of my life in a way that's now reflected in how I'm seen by the court. I've shown growth, taken responsibility, and people look at me differently because of that.
I want to say thank you to everyone involved in the program - everyone who believed in me and gave me that second chance I didn't even know I needed."
"When I first started the DDAP program. I was a little nervous and scared. I honestly thought it was just another form of punishment. But that changed the moment I met Dawn, the person I checked in with in the program.
She was so kind to me, and I could immediately tell she genuinely wanted the best for me. She constantly reminded me that I deserved a second chance to do better. That meant a lot, especially because, at first, I didn't even want to join the program - I'll be real about that. But as time went on, I started looking forward to the days we could meet.
It was actually fun. We had great conversations, and she motivated me to become a better man. Dawn helped me get my ID, my permit, and eventually my driver's license. Honestly, I don't think any of that would've happened without her and the DDAP program.
I want to say thank you to everyone involved in the program - everyone who believed in me and gave me that second chance I didn't even know I needed."
The program motivated me to accomplish so much more than I ever expected. It pushed me to go after a job at Fenway Park, which I'm really proud of. It gave me the confidence to start my passport applications so I can be ready for future opportunities. I was also inspired to get back into the gym, which helped me feel better both physically and mentally. One of the biggest changes is how Dawn and the program motivated me to take control of my life in a way that's now reflected in how I'm seen by the court. I've shown growth, taken responsibility, and people look at me differently because of that.
I want to say thank you to everyone involved in the program - everyone who believed in me and gave me that second chance I didn't even know I needed."
Urgent. Essential. Appreciated.
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