School-based Youth Diversion Pilot Program in Minnesota

Dr. Myklebust is the project leader of the Minnesota School-based Diversion Project for Students with Co-occurring Disorders. The program is managed through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and was funded by the State Legislature.

The project has been in existence for six years and includes these pilot sites: Change Inc. at Minneapolis Edison High School, A Chance to Grow at Robbinsdale Cooper and Armstrong High Schools, Owatonna High School, North Homes Family Services in Cloquet, and the Conflict Resolution Center in St. Cloud and Duluth.

The pilots are organized to keep youth from being arrested at school and entering the school-to-prison pipeline by providing restorative practices, mental health counseling, and chemical health support. Measurement Inc. in Chicago is conducting the program evaluation and it is anticipated that the program will continue, and perhaps expand to other locales.

Dr. Myklebust presented a session about the Model at the 2023 Conference on Advancing School Mental Health in New Orleans.