DIVERSION PROGRAMS

VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM

OVERVIEW

The Violence Prevention Program is designed to work with participants to decrease interpersonal violence through a process of change in thinking and behaviors. The program offers education and intervention techniques to address prior actions and/or beliefs which have been abusive or destruction in relationships with others. We believe that people who have engaged in violent acts against others can change beliefs and abusive patterns in relationships if given education, skills, and resources.

Participants initially meet with program staff for a screening prior to attending group sessions. Referrals for the program may be made by courts, local law enforcement, professionals within the legal community, professionals from social services agencies, or by self-referral.

PROGRAM CONTENT

Group sessions focus on learning new skills to replace destructive behaviors displayed in the past. Group topics include:

  • Accountability

  • What Counts as Violence

  • Negative vs. Positive Self Talk

  • Effects of Violence on Women

  • Quick Fixes vs. Long-Term Solutions

  • Dishonesty and Defenses

  • Psychological, Economic, and Sexual Abuse

  • Abusive vs. Respectful Communication

  • The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

  • Positive Attributes of a Partner

  • Power and Control

  • Jealousy

  • Roadblocks to Communication

LOCATION

Alternative Paths, 246 Northland Drive, Suite 200A, Medina, Ohio 44256

 

FEES

$75 Screening Fee

$425 Program Fee (16 sessions)

SESSION DATES AND TIMES

Screening dates are by appointment only. Groups will meet every Tuesday of the week from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

CONTACT

To schedule your initial screening or if you have general questions about the program, please call Lenny Hrovat, Director of Diversion Services, or October Gorecki, Pre-Trial Administrative Assistant, at 330-725-9195.

PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION

OVERVIEW

Alternative Paths offers a program for first offenders called Pre-Trial Diversion. In many cases, a defendant who is in trouble for the first time may be referred to the Pre-Trial Diversion Program with the consent of the prosecuting attorney in the case. If the Pre-Trial Diversion Program is successfully completed, the charges against the defendant will be dismissed.

The Pre-Trial Diversion Program is a commitment of six months to one year. During that time the offender meets with the diversion services staff for an initial screening, followed by individual, or group counseling sessions. The offender will develop goals related to life issues that contributed to the offender’s crime. Referrals for mental health, chemical dependency, or vocational services may be recommended depending on the needs of the offender.

The Pre-Trial Diversion Program is a voluntary program. If the offender fails to follow the terms of the program or becomes involved in any new violations of the law while in the program, the offender shall be terminated and returned to the criminal court for the formal court process.

SESSION LOCATION

Alternative Paths, 246 Northland Drive, Suite 200A, Medina, Ohio 44256

 

FEES

Offenders accepted into the program must pay a fee of $550. If the fee cannot be paid upon entry into the program, the offender should not apply.

SESSION DATES AND TIMES

All sessions are by appointment only.

CONTACT

To find out if you are eligible for the Pre-Trial Diversion Program, please discuss the referral with your attorney. General questions about the program can be answered by calling Lenny Hrovat, Director of Diversion Services, or October Gorecki, Pre-Trial Administrative Assistant, at 330-725-9195.

ECONOMIC CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM

Alternative Paths provides an Economic Crime Prevention Program, previously known as the Theft Counseling Program, which provides educational intervention for persons referred from the municipal courts following theft convictions.

OVERVIEW

Alternative Paths provides a theft counseling educational intervention for persons referred from the municipal courts following theft convictions.  The educational program is designed to intervene in the criminological thinking of persons who steal, increase their ability to take responsibility for their actions, and effectively manage any future impulses or destructive thinking which may cause them to recidivate in the criminal justice system.

The educational program is 2 hours in duration, offered a total of six times per year.  Dates will be posted on the agency website, alternativepaths.org, as well as sent to the local courts.   A program participant is responsible for pre-registering for the program in advance and must be present for the entire session.  The program is offered at Alternative Paths, 246 Northland Dr. Suite 200, Medina, Ohio 44256.  The non-refundable fee for the program is $120 per program participant.  The agency shall provide verification of attendance to the court within 5 business days of the completed session.   The session presenter will be an Alternative Paths behavioral healthcare clinician with specialization in the area of forensics.
 
Program Content
 
The theft counseling session led by the clinician will focus on the following group topics:

  • National statistics related to theft

  • Motivating factors and causes of why people steal

  • Cost of theft to society

  • Taking personal responsibility/ownership of actions

  • Maladaptive attitude, values, belief systems that support one’s choice to steal

  • Formulating a plan of action to reduce potential to steal in the future

 
Individualized content will include participant completion of worksheets which include the following:

  • Perception of his/her theft act

  • Impact statement

  • Personal action plan

The program will include lecture as well as encourage group discussion. Participants will be given a pre-and post-test to complete so that outcomes can be measured. Participants will be provided with resource information in the event further assistance is needed to address behavioral health concerns.

LOCATION

The program is offered at Alternative Paths, Inc., 246 Northland Drive, Suite 200A, Drive, Medina, Ohio 44256. 

 

FEES

The non-refundable fee for the program is $120 per program participant.

2023 SESSION DATES AND TIME

August 5
October 7
December 2

All sessions are held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

You may also register and pay your fee by calling the agency contact below.

CONTACT

Lenny Hrovat or October Gorecki at 330-725-9195 or 330-635-2736