Supporting Youth Through Early Intervention: The Role of Court Designated Workers in Kentucky
The CDW Program was established in 1986 by the Kentucky General Assembly to ensure that diverted youth receive due process and fair outcomes. The program is administered by the Division of Juvenile Services and provides 24/7 access to CDWs in every Kentucky county.
When a young person encounters legal trouble, timely and positive intervention can be the deciding factor between a promising future and ongoing challenges. In Kentucky, Court-Designated Workers (CDWs) play a crucial role in this process by handling complaints involving individuals under the age of 18 before formal court proceedings begin. This early engagement enables CDWs to assist thousands of youths each year.
When appropriate, eligible juveniles are diverted from the formal court system. Successful completion of a supervised diversion program allows these young individuals to avoid a formal court record, helping them stay on a positive path.
Responsibilities of a Court Designated Worker
CDWs are responsible for:
- Processing public and status complaints on children under age 18
- Assisting law enforcement in the custody process
- Conducting preliminary investigations and interviews
- Developing and supervising diversion agreements
Complaints handled by CDWs fall into two categories:
- Status Offenses: Noncriminal behaviors such as truancy, running away, underage use of tobacco or alcohol, or being beyond parental or school control.
- Public Offenses: Actions considered criminal if committed by an adult.
Complaints
can be filed by various parties, including police officers, victims, parents,
or school officials. Upon the filing of a complaint, the juvenile is given the
opportunity to meet with a CDW, beginning a process aimed at accountability,
support and rehabilitation.
Custody vs. Arrest in Kentucky's Juvenile Justice System
In Kentucky's juvenile justice system, minors are taken into custody rather than being formally arrested. Court Designated Workers (CDWs) support law enforcement by identifying appropriate placement options, such as returning the child to a parent or guardian, placing them with a relative, or arranging temporary care at an emergency shelter. Detention is considered only when authorized by a judge and typically occurs if there is a concern that the juvenile may reoffend, pose a safety risk, or fail to appear in court.
Appropriate Placements
CDWs always strive to find the least-restrictive option when making placement decisions. They have five alternatives to consider:
- Parent or custodial guardian, unless prohibited by the court for alleged abuse
- Responsible adult, such as a relative, neighbor or friend of family
- Emergency shelter
- Crisis stabilization units, if applicable
- Inpatient mental health assessment, if applicable
Diversion Agreements
The goal of diversion is to reduce further involvement in the court system by providing programs based on education, treatment and accountability. CDWs follow established criteria to determine if a juvenile is eligible to participate in a diversion agreement or if the case, by law, must be referred to formal court.
Eligible juveniles who agree to the informal process enter into a diversion agreement that holds them accountable for past actions and provides tools to manage current behavioral issues. These tools include:
- Prevention and educational programs
- Service learning projects
- Community service
- Restitution
- Curfew
- School attendance
- Counseling
- Treatment
CDWs provide case management and monitoring throughout the diversion program, which can last up to 12 months. When the juvenile successfully completes diversion, the case is closed and no formal court record is created.
FAIR Teams: Enhancing Outcomes Through Community-Based Intervention
Family Accountability, Intervention, and Response Teams collaborate with Court Designated Specialists (CDSs) to divert juveniles from the formal court system by expanding access to treatment services and community-based programs. These multidisciplinary teams comprise representatives from the legal system, education, treatment providers, and juvenile justice agencies, collaborating to support more effective and individualized case management.
FAIR Teams review diversion agreements and service referrals to ensure that youth receive timely, targeted interventions tailored to their specific needs and risk factors. Their goal is to reduce juvenile justice involvement by offering meaningful alternatives to formal court proceedings.
Through comprehensive screening, assessment, and coordinated case planning, FAIR Teams help ensure that a greater number of juvenile cases are resolved successfully through diversion or dismissal. Established under Senate Bill 200, which reformed Kentucky's juvenile justice system in 2014, FAIR Teams now operate in all 60 judicial districts across the state, playing a key role in promoting better outcomes for young people.