How Assessment Centers Promote Youth Diversion and Public Safety

Hosted by The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center and National Assessment Center Association

In April 2025, the CSG Justice Center launched the Collaborating for Youth and Public Safety Initiative (CYPSI) to help 6 states design cross-systems strategies to reduce youth’s involvement in the justice system. One promising approach is assessment centers, which provide early intervention, coordinated services, and alternatives to arrest and court involvement. The National Assessment Center helps states and communities across the country develop assessment centers aligned with research and best practice.

In this webinar, participants will learn:

• Critical challenges and opportunities for reducing youth’s involvement in the justice system
• Strategies for using assessment centers to strengthen early intervention and diversion
• How Ohio built a statewide network of 20+ assessment centers—more than any other state

This webinar is ideal for state and local leaders in juvenile justice, child welfare, and behavioral health; policymakers; agency administrators; judges; community-based providers; and others working to improve outcomes for youth and strengthen public safety.

All registrants will receive a recording and slides of the event.

Speakers:

• Josh Weber, Deputy Division Director, Corrections and Reentry, CSG Justice Center
• Karli Keator, Director of Operations, National Assessment Center Association
• Corey Shrieve, Bureau Chief, Community Reinvestment, Ohio Department of Youth Services